Women’s Soccer Takes Unbeaten GNAC Record to Lasell Saturday

BOSTON – The Suffolk women's soccer team will face its toughest GNAC opponent to date when it visits conference powerhouse Lasell Saturday, Sept. 24. The Rams will attempt to be the first league team to take down the Lasers since 2011. The match is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.  

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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk women's soccer team kept its GNAC record perfect Sept. 17 as the Rams shutout St. Joseph (Conn.), 2-0, at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park. 

MORE READING: Women's Soccer Remains Unbeaten in GNAC, Shutouts USJCT

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Through two conference games throughout the league, Suffolk sits atop the standings thanks to a 2-0-0 record, defeating Anna Maria (5-0) and the University of St. Joseph (2-0). Overall, Suffolk is 4-2. 

Along with the season standings, Suffolk sits atop in goals (18), percentage (.186) and second in shots on goal percentage (.639) and assists (11). Individually, a Ram is leads the conference in goals as Jennifer Martin's seven is first. The junior is second in points with 14 while her classmate Alexandra Nagri is third in both points (13) and goals (6). In assists two players in blue-and-gold are in a five-tie for first with three as Paola Ortez and Jessica Harmon have each set up three scorers. 

The Suffolk name is also scattered around the conference's defense charts. The Rams have held its six opponents to six scores, which is good for third-best in the league. Kirsten Weiker's save percentage (.884) and goals-against average (1.02) rank third and fifth, respectively. The sophomore keeper is 3-2 on the season, earning all three victories in shutout fashion.  

LITTLE BIT 'BOUT THE LASERS
After falling in the first two games of its season, Lasell has seen a result in its past four contests to bring a 3-2-1 ledger and 1-0-1 conference mark into Saturday's meeting. 

Entering Saturday's contest, the Lasers own a 34-0-3 unbeaten streak against GNAC opponents dating back to the 2012 season with its last loss to conference competition coming in the form of a 1-0 lost at the University of St. Joseph Oct. 15, 2012.

Six different Lazers' cleats are responsible for Lasell's eight goals this season with Megan Cullen and Carly Zdanek each finding the back of the net twice. The senior and sophomore also have dished out identical assists for a team-high five points apiece. Devon Day, meanwhile, leads the team in handouts with two to go along with one score for four points. 

Sarah LaClair has seen every minute of action in between the posts. The junior keepers owns a 0.80 goals-against average, letting in five goals over 560 minutes, but has 25 saves for a .833 percentage and a 3-2-1 record.  

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk has faced Lasell 13 times since 2007 and has been downed by the Lasers in each contest to sit 0-13 all-time. Last season, the Rams met the Lasers in the conference opener and fell 4-1.   

EYES ON THE GAME

BEST YET
At 2-0 in conference action, Suffolk is off to its best start against league competition in the program's 10-year history. 

SHUTOUT
All four of the Rams' victories this season are shutouts. The four cleansheets in one year are the most since matching that number in 2013.  

SCORING FRENZY
In the 9-0 victory Wednesday night at Wheelock, Suffolk poured in the most goals (9) since scoring 12 in a 12-0 shutout win over Anna Maria Oct. 24, 2012. The nine tallies are the fourth most goals all-time in the program's 10-year history, with the Rams' tallying nine goals on two other occasions, both 9-0 wins – Oct. 14, 2009 vs. Mass. Maritime and Oct. 13, 2010 vs. Newbury.

MAGINIFICENT MARTIN
Jennifer Martin, who is the first Ram with a multi-goal game since Alexandra Nagri netted two in the season finale last season at Mount Ida, racked up four tallies in the 9-0 triumph at Wheelock Wednesday. Her offensive outpour, she ties the fourth-most goals in a single-game by a Ram and is the most goals by a Ram since Leslie Hayden and Lauren Cameron netted five and four, respectively at Anna Maria Oct. 10, 2011. The junior is also the first Ram to net a hat trick since Nagri did so in a 4-3 win at St. Joseph (Conn.) Sept. 19, 2015.

#RAMSFANFEST
For the second straight year, Suffolk Athletics invites all members of Ram Nation to East Boston Memorial Park for a double feature soccer contest and #RamsFanFest Saturday, Oct. 15.

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/.  

COMING UP
Suffolk continues its road stretch Monday, Sept. 26 when it stops by Lesley for an 8 p.m. meeting.