Men’s Soccer Visits Lasell in Crucial GNAC Finale

BOSTON – With one conference contest remaining for the Rams and the GNAC standings not yet finalized, Suffolk men's soccer heads to Lasell for a Tuesday (Oct. 17) tilt. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk men's soccer fell behind 3-0 early and could not make up enough ground as Norwich went on to take a 5-2 win over the Rams in the third annual Rams Fan Fest at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.

MORE READING: Norwich Stumps Men's Soccer, 5-2

STANDINGS SITUATION
With 10 points on a 3-5-1 record, Suffolk currently sits in eighth place in the GNAC standings. With a win over Lasell Tuesday afternoon, the Rams secure their fourth consecutive GNAC tournament trip. With a loss, the blue-and-gold awaits the outcome of Saturday's contest to see its post season fate.

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk split a two-game week, blanking Rivier, 7-0, and falling to Norwich, 5-2, to sit at 6-6-1 on the season and 3-5-1 in conference contests. 

The Rams' 28 goal offense this season is anchored by the sophomore class. Christian Restrepo paces the pack with 15 points on six goals and three handouts with Felipe UCros (3-5-11) and James Fisher (4-2-10) adding to the effort. 

In net, Kyle Van Cleef has seen the most action with Jon Brodeur getting his fair share of action between the posts. Van Cleef sports a 2.38 goals against average and a .718 save percentage through nine appearances and eight starts for a 2-5-1 ledger. Brodeur, meanwhile holds a 0.83 goals against average and a .765 save percentage good for a 4-1-0 record through six games played and four starts.

LASERS LOOK
Lasell is on a three-game skid that put the Lasers at 3-12 overall and 2-6 in league play. The Lasers were shutout in their last two outings, a 7-0 setback at Norwich and a 5-0 loss to Saint Joseph's (Maine). 

Kenan Omerbasic is the lone Lasell player to notch double figure points this season with all of the forward's points coming off goals (5). Matt Latsha and Connor Wall sit second on the squad with seven points apiece. Latsha's stat line features three strikes and one handout, while Wall has two scores and three set ups. 

Three different netminders have taken the turf for the Lasers; Jackson Burhans, Matteo Cugno and Jaret Petrie. Burhans and Cugno have split time evenly throughout the season. Cugno holds a team-best 2.97 goals against average and a .701 save percentage. Burhans, meanwhile, has a 4.33 goals against average and a .593 save percentage.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Since 2007, Suffolk is 2-5-4 versus Lasell.
• The Rams picked up their first victory over the Lasers since 2010 last season with a 3-0 shutout in Eastie.
• Three contests have needed extra time with the trio of outings all ending in double overtime stalemates.
• Overall, four contests have ended in ties, with the game in 2014 being called due to inclement weather.
• Four games were decided in shutout fashion with Suffolk owning just one of those victories, a 3-0 win last season.

EYES ON THE GAME

COMING UP
To stay fresh for the conference tournament, the Rams will wrap up the regular season with two out of league foes. First the Rams will stop by Lesley, Sunday, Oct. 22 before capping off the regular season at home Tuesday, Oct. 24 versus Fitchburg State.