Women’s Soccer Kicks Off 11th Season at RIC Sunday

BOSTON – Suffolk women's soccer lifts the lead of its 11th season Labor Day Weekend when the Rams visit Rhode Island College Sunday, Sept. 3 for a 12 p.m. first kick.   

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RAPID RAMS REWIND
2016 saw Suffolk women's soccer take the field in the second most games (21) in the program's 10-year history, going 11-10 overall and 5-6 against conference competition. 

The Rams secured a spot in the GNAC postseason – its sixth overall and first since 2014 - as the tournament's seventh seed and surprised the field with a 2-1 victory at second-seeded Johnson & Wales to advance to the semifinals thanks to a good free kick from Jennifer Martin with just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation.

In their third semifinal appearance in program history, Suffolk took Albertus Magnus, the tournament's third seed, to double overtime and was four minutes shy of heading into a penalty kick decision, but the Falcons snuck a goal past Kirsten Weiker to put an end to the Rams' run.

GUESS WHO'S BACK
Suffolk will be anchored by veteran leadership, returning its top five point contributors from 2016 including seniors Alexandra Nagri and Jennifer Martin. Nagri produced the third-most goals (19) and points (44) in conference to lead the way for the blue-and-gold, while Martin sat fifth in both categories, registering 16 goals and 34 points last season. 

Classmates Jessica Harmon and Erika Nelson also return for their final season in blue-and-gold. The pair were crucial in setting up Suffolk's offense. Harmon dished out seven helpers to go along with two markers last year, while Nelson had six assists and three goals to her credit.

Overall, 90.8 percent of the Rams' total offense is back in 2017.

Similar to the offense, the Rams' defense will be held down by junior netminder Kirsten Weiker. With two years of experience under her belt the junior looks to build upon a 2.10 goals against average and .785 save percentage from last season. Sophomores Julia Fieldsend and Jordan Pettograsso will assist Weiker in goalkeeping responsibilities.

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
Suffolk's line up will get a boost from the addition of seven rookies this season. The six true freshmen are Jill Kohm, Addisyn Lanza, Adriana Patino, MaryKate Simmons, Bela Binggeli and Caleigh O'Brien, while Cayla Cecchini will also take the field for the first time as a Ram this season.

GEOGRAPHY 101
The 2017 Rams features 23 players representing eight states. There are nine student-athletes that call Massachusetts home and five who hail from New Hampshire. Three Rams hail from Connecticut, while a pair is Maine natives. California, Minnesota, New York and North Carolina are also represented.   

CLASS RANKS
Suffolk's squad representing all four classes led by nine members of the class of 2018. There are four juniors and sophomores, respectively, and six true freshmen.

ANCHORMEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Rhode Island will open its 2017 slate Friday evening in a home contest versus Curry before hosting the Rams in a Sunday showdown. 

On the offensive end, the Anchormen welcome back Brittany DeGrooth, who sat second on the squad in points with a team-high seven goals and one assist a year ago. RIC returns Stephanie Ricci, who set up the most goals last season, leading the way with five assists to go along with four markers for 13 points.

In net, Rhode Island will look to two new sets of gloves in Erica Edwards and Carissa Gaglione. Edwards transferred to the Anchormen after one season at Flagler, while Gaglione is in her first collegiate campaign.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk and Rhode Island will meet on the pitch for the first time Sunday.

EYES ON THE GAME

LIFTING THE LID

• Through its first 10 seasons as a varsity program, Suffolk is 3-6-1 in season openers.
• The Rams look for their first day one win under Darren Lloyd.
• Suffolk looks to return to the win column in the first outing of the year since 2014.
• For the first time in the Rams' history, Suffolk and Rhode Island College will tangle in the blue-and-gold's first outing of the season.

AT THE HELM
Darren Lloyd enters his third season at the helm of the young Suffolk program. Over his two years on the bench, he has led Suffolk back to the GNAC postseason while coaching two all-conference and all-tournament team selections. Overall, Lloyd boasts a 15-25 record and an 8-14 mark against conference competition.

SUFFOLK FREE RADIO
Suffolk Athletics has teamed up with Suffolk Free Radio to bring Ram Nation 17 live broadcasts of Suffolk soccer games this season. 

The pre-game shows are set to launch 15 minutes prior to kick-off of all contests and fans can follow along at mixlr.com/suffolkfreeradio/.  

MORE READING: Women's Soccer Slotted Seventh in Preseason GNAC Coaches' Poll

RAMS RINGLEADERS
For the second straight season, Jennifer Martin and Alexandra Nagri will lead the Rams as co-captains.

MORE READING: Martin, Nagri Tabbed 2017 Women's Soccer Captains

Peabody's Nelson Has High Hopes at Suffolk
A Daily Item feature article by Harold Riveria on Suffolk University women's soccer senior Erika Nelson, who has high hopes for the upcoming season.

MORE READING: FEATURE: Peabody's Nelson Has High Hopes at Suffolk

COMING UP
Suffolk's home opener will also serve as the Rams' GNAC opener when the blue-and-gold welcomes Albertus Magnus to James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park Saturday, Sept. 9. The contest, which begins at 1 p.m., is a part of a Suffolk soccer doubleheader with the men's team hosting the Falcons at 4 p.m.