Men’s Soccer Advances to CNE Championship with 2-1 Win Over Endicott

EAST BOSTON – The second-seeded Suffolk men's soccer secured its spot in the CNE Championship with a 2-1 victory over sixth seed Endicott in the CNE Semifinal on Tuesday night at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | Endicott 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (13-3-3) | Endicott (10-8-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Suffolk struck first in the 28th minute as Emiliano Esquer swung in a cross from the left wing that ricocheted off an Endicott defender into the path of Diego Pierantozzi, who rifled home from close range.
• The Rams doubled the lead in the 52nd minute as Dylan Rowe delivered a corner into the heart of the box, where Matthew Belluardo rose and headed in Suffolk's second.
• Francisco Valck nearly made it 3-0 after a deflected effort from Dylan Trachtenberg fell to him in the box, but his shot slid just wide of the right post.
• Ethan Nunes threatened for Endicott with a strike from distance, but Belluardo tracked back and headed away the danger in the 71st minute.
• Despite receiving a red card, Endicott pulled one back in the 77th minute as a cross from Conor Rooney found Drew McClay-Ward at the back post for a tap-in.
• Suffolk nearly restored its two-goal lead moments later when Belluardo sent a free kick from the midfield to Christian Gardner, whose volley was handled by Ethan Harrison.
• In the 88th, Javen Ironside came up with a key block in the box to help seal the win as the Rams controlled possession to the final whistle. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS 

• Nathan Harlow recorded two saves in the contest.
• Harrison stopped six shots in the action. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Pierantozzi and Belluardo scored the goals for the Rams.
• Rowe provided the assist on Belluardo's tally.
• Valck lead the attack with five shots, while Pierantozzi, Belluardo, and Gardner each put two on frame.
• Shots finished even at 16-16, but Suffolk placed eight on frame to Endicott's four.
• Suffolk earned a 5-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk began its 23rd overall, fifth CNE and fifth straight league postseason play tonight. 
• The blue-and-gold advanced to the conference championship for the second time in program history, third time in its CNE tenure and fourth time overall. 
• The Rams played in the league semifinal for the seventh time, fourth straight season and fourth time in the CNE era. 
• Suffolk is 4-2-1 in a semis showdown and 3-0-1 when playing in the CNE semis. 
• Suffolk hosted the conference semifinal for the second time in program history and second time in as many years. 
• The Rams are undefeated, 2-0-0, in a league semifinal as the home team. 
• The blue-and-gold hosted its 10th conference postseason game, second semifinal. 
• As the home team, the Rams are 6-2-2 in a conference tournament, including an unbeaten, 3-0-2 mark in the CNE. 
• It is the second straight season and second time in program history that Suffolk is competing in a league postseason as the second seed. 
• Suffolk is unbeaten, 2-0-1, as the second seed in a league tournament.
• The Rams are 4-2-3 in the postseason in the Bill Maddock era. 
• Suffolk poured in two goals in a conference postseason game for the first time since scoring twice in the 2023 Semifinals at WNE Oct. 31, 2023.
• Suffolk tangled with Endicott in the postseason for the third time. 
• The Rams are undefeated against the Gulls in tournament action, 3-0-0. 
• Suffolk and the Gulls met in a conference semifinal for the second time, first since 2022. The Rams are unbeaten, 2-0-0, in semis against Endicott.
• Suffolk hosted Endicott in a postseason game, for the second time, first since the 2023 CNE First Round. The Rams are 2-0-0 as the home team in tournament action against the Gulls. 
• The blue-and-gold snapped a two-game skid against the Gulls in the all-time series.
• Suffolk leveled the all-time series with Endicott at 5-5-0. 
• The Rams hold a 5-3-0 record versus the Gulls under Maddock including three postseason triumphs. 
• Pierantozzi potted his seventh goal of the season. 
• Belluardo recorded his second strike of the year. 
• Rowe registered his first collegiate point with one assist.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will defend its title and go for a repeat as CNE champions Saturday, Nov. 8 in a rematch of last season's title tilt at top-seeded Roger Williams. Kickoff time from Bristol, Rhode Island is to be determined.