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Men’s Soccer Blanks UNE, 2-0

Suffolk men’s soccer poured in a pair of unanswered goals over a five-minute span in the second half and Xander Balog turned aside both shots he faced to shutout the University of New England, 2-0, Wednesday night in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Barbara J. Hazard Field. 

Men’s Soccer Blanks UNE, 2-0
October 18, 2023
Box Score Preview

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk men's soccer poured in a pair of unanswered goals over a five-minute span in the second half and Xander Balog turned aside both shots he faced to shutout the University of New England, 2-0, Wednesday night in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Barbara J. Hazard Field.  

THE BASICS
 SCORE: Suffolk 2 | University of new England 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-4-2, 4-1-1 CCC) | University of New England (1-10-5, 0-4-2 CCC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
 After a scoreless first frame, Suffolk buried the ball twice in the back of the net over a 5:33-minute span.  

First, Tommy Handelsman's throw in from the right sideline found a waiting Matthew Belluardo for a perfect header to open the scoring in the 54th minute. 

Belluardo factored into the second strike as he set-up Brady Sorensen. In a cluster in front, Belluardo slipped the rock to a Sorensen for a quick shot and goal to double the distance at the 58:13 mark. 

Both keepers made a save towards the tail end of the game. Taj Jensen was denied by Sean McCarthy in the 88th minute, while Balog was tested with 1:07 remaining. Suffolk's junior stopped UNE's Brandon Machel though to preserve the cleansheet.  

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

  • Balog made two saves, one in each half, in the shutout. 
  • McCarthy had six stops in the setback.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

  • Belluardo factored into both of Suffolk's goals, scoring one and assisting on the other. 
  • Sorensen scored one goal. 
  • Handelsman had one assist. 
  • Suffolk outshot UNE, 18-3, including 8-2 shots on goal advantage. 
  • The Rams took all four corners of the contest. 

NOTEWORTHY

  • The Rams remain unbeaten all-time against UNE, 3-0-0. 
  • Suffolk shutout the Nor'Easters for the second time in as many meetings and second time in the all-time series. 
  • The blue-and-gold improved to 2-0-0 in Biddeford, Maine versus UNE. 
  • Suffolk has outscored the Nor'Easters 11-3 in the all-time series including 6-0 in the last two meetings.
  • Handelsman is on a two-game point streak for the third time in his collegiate career, second time this season. He has set-up one goal in the back-to-back outings. 
  • Handelsman handed out his seventh assist of the season. 
  • Belluardo contributed a career-high three points on one goal and one assist. 
  • Belluardo registered his first collegiate assist. 
  • Belluardo found the back of the net for the fifth time this season. 
  • Belluardo is on a two-game point streak for the first time this year. In that span he has two goals and one helper. 
  • Sorensen stretched his point streak to four straight. Over that stretch he has four goals and one helper. 
  • Sorensen put away his sixth goal of the year to have back-to-back seasons with six strikes to his credit. 
  • Balog logged his third cleansheet of the year, 15th of his collegiate career.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
 Suffolk returns to Boston Saturday, Oct. 21 for its final home game of the regular season when Gordon stops by East Boston Memorial Park's James A. Sartori Stadium for a 3 p.m. CCC contest. Prior to first kick, the Rams will honor the playing career of its seven graduating players.