Tuesday Tilt with Bridgewater State Starts Women’s Soccer’s Home Schedule

SUFFOLK vs BRIDGEWATER STATE
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series	Tuesday, Sept. 6 7:00 PM James A. Sartori Stadium East Boston Memorial Park East Boston, Mass. Suffolk Playsight GoSuffolkRams.com First Meeting

BOSTON – Suffolk women's soccer will pull the curtain back on its home schedule Tuesday, Sept. 6 when it welcomes Bridgewater State to East Boston Memorial Park's James A. Sartori Stadium for a 7 p.m. kick-off. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

LAST TIME OUT
Hayley Long's goal less than four minutes into the action proved to be the difference for Suffolk women's soccer as it took down Framingham State, 1-0, at Maple Street Field Saturday afternoon. The victory marks the first of the 2022 campaign and the first with Ellie McDougall on the sidelines.  

MORE READING: Women's Soccer Sneaks Past Framingham State, 1-0

SUFFOLK SCORES

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk sits 1-0-1 after opening weekend, which is the best record through two games since 2011. The schedule features a scoreless tie at Elms and a 1-0 victory at Framingham State.  

The Rams lone goal of the year came off the boot of Hayley Long with Kylie Flynn responsible for the lone assist. 

The blue-and-gold's defense backed by goalie Sophia Barker has held its foes off the scoreboard this year. It is the first time since 2010 that Suffolk has kept its opponents off the board for two straight games to start the year. Barker is one of those reasons and the freshman gloves holds seven saves in the pair of shutouts.  

BEARS BREAKDOWN
Bridgewater State brings in a 0-1-1 mark into Tuesday's tangle. The Bears tied Keene State, 0-0, in their season debut before falling to MIT, 3-0, Saturday.  

BSU has yet to find the back of the net this year. Michelle Belcher has been the most anxious to do so with nine shots, seven of which went on target in the two games. 

Tory Viola-Laughery has played every minute in net for the Bears. She holds a .813 save percentage and 1.50 GAA. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Bridgewater State will meet for the first time. 

EYES ON THE GAME
 

HOME OPENERES

• Suffolk is 5-9-0 in home openers. 
• The Rams won their home debut, 1-0, over Elms Sept. 1, 2021.
• Suffolk looks to string back-to-back home-opening wins together for the first time since winning three in a row from 2009-11. 
• Suffolk's first game in front of its home crowd of the season came in shutout fashion eight times. The Rams are 1-7-0 in such instances. 
• The Rams needed extra time to decide a winner in their home opener once, a double overtime 2-1 loss to Fitchburg State, Sept. 7, 2019.
• Suffolk will host Bridgewater State in its home debut for the first time in program history. 

MAKE THE PLEDGE TO BE THERE SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for college athletes. While athletes have many protective factors in place - community, resources, regular exercise - the pressure to succeed and time constraints can elevate their risk of developing suicidal thoughts. The stressful nature of participating in collegiate athletics, especially now with the added pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly affect student-athletes and their mental well-being.

Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. Suffolk Athletics is asking all members of Ram Nation – students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and fans – to take a pledge to be there; be there for yourself and others.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, join the Suffolk women's soccer team in making it a mission to be there and bring awareness to suicide prevention. 

READ MORE: Rams Take a Stand in Suicide Prevention 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will entertain Wellesley Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12 p.m. The outing will serve as a Suicide Awareness Game.