Men’s Soccer Closes Regular Season Tuesday vs. Fitchburg State

BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer will use its Tuesday, Oct. 24 tilt versus Fitchburg State to prep for the 2017 GNAC Men's Soccer Tournament. The Rams regular season finale featuring the Falcons is set for a 7 p.m. first kick at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.

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LAST TIME OUT
To wrap up the regular season road portion of its schedule, Suffolk men's soccer stormed past Lesley, 4-1, Sunday morning at Danehy Park.

MORE READING:  Men's Soccer Rolls Past Lesley, 4-1

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk secured its spot in the GNAC Tourney thanks to its 3-2 win at Lasell and followed that by a 4-1 victory at Lesley to carry an 8-6-1 ledger into Tuesday's action. 

The Rams, who have scored seven goals over the past two contests, are led on the attack by the sophomore class. Christian Restrepo paces the pack as the forward's 20 points have come on seven points and six handouts. James Fisher is second on the squad with 14 points thanks to six strikes and two setups with Felipe Ucros rounding out the top three with 13 points on four markers and five handouts. 

Suffolk's goaltending contingent of Jon Brodeur and Kyle Van Cleef have split action in between the pipes this year. Brodeur brings in a 1.03 goals against average and a .778 save percentage with a 5-1 record, while Van Cleef boasts a 2.50 goals against average and a .731 save percentage for a 7-6-1 ledger.

FALCONS FACTS
Fitchburg is winless through its last seven games including five consecutive setbacks to bring a 4-8-2 record into Tuesday night. Through the last five games, the Falcons have scored just three goals. 

Matthew Krikorian buoys the offense as the lone Falcon with double figure points. The sophomore forward has a team-high five goals and one assist for 11 points. Yannick DePine (3-2-8) and Jared Burnes (3-1-7) are also consistent contributors for Fitchburg State. 

In net, Alex Al-Zaibak has seen the most time with 10 appearances and 10 starts. The senior keeper holds a 1.98 goals average and a.767 save percentage. Branton Abbett is the most successful goaltender for Fitchburg, however, sitting at 3-1-0 on the season with a 1.75 goals against average and a .632 save percentage.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Fitchburg renew a rivalry Tuesday night, which began in 1984.
• The Rams trail the all-time series with the Falcons owning both wins in shutout fashion.
• Fitchburg took down the Rams in the series opener, 5-0, in 1984 and again in the following by a 3-0 margin.

EYES ON THE GAME

GNAC GLORY
Suffolk men's soccer will be making its fourth consecutive appearance in the GNAC Tournament as the conference announced the bracket with the Rams taking the No. 8 seed. 

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Secures Spot in GNAC Tournament as Eighth Seed

COMING UP
Suffolk looks to shake up the tournament field as the eighth-seeded Rams trek to Standish, Maine, to take on defending GNAC Champion, top seeded and unbeaten Saint Joseph's (Maine) Sunday, Oct. 29.