Ryan Lifts Women’s Soccer to 1-0 Double OT Victory at Elms in Season Debut 

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Caitlin Ryan put away the game-winner with less than five minutes remaining in double overtime to push Suffolk Women's soccer to a 2019 opening-day, 1-0, victory at Elms Sunday afternoon at Timothy J. Leary Field. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 1, Elms 0 (2OT)
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-0) | Elms (1-1) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams started the game with energy as each team put a shot on goal within the first six minutes.  

The Rams would have a golden opportunity later in the first half, as Carley Pearce and Cassandra LaBarbera each had a shot saved by the defense when the Blazers goalie Rebecca Molinhad come off her line.  

The second half saw chances created by both teams, however, both netminders would not be beaten sending the game into overtime.  

After the first extra 10 minutes went scoreless, the game-winner would come in the 106th minute when Ryan opened her Suffolk account to hand Suffolk the 1-0 double overtime decision. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

·      Allison Rodrigues stood tall in net stopping all seven shots from the Blazers.
·      Molin provided an 11-save afternoon. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• The blue-and-gold controlled shots with 19 to the Blazers nine, while also registering 14 efforts on target compared to seven from Elms.
• In terms of corners, Suffolk held the edge over the Blazers, 6-3.
• Ryan and Addisyn Lanza led the Rams with three shots each during the game.

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk need extra time in its first game of the season for the first time since 2013. 
• The Rams won their first OT game on the first game of the season in program history. Overall, Suffolk has played in three OT contest in its season opener, all of which have needed two overtimes. Suffolk is 1-1-1 when playing in OT contests in the first outing of the year. 
• The Rams won their first OT in the Ashley Van Vechten era and first since besting Regis, 3-2, Sept. 16, 2017. 
• Suffolk moved to 1-1-1 in OT under Van Vechten's guidance. 
• Ryan scored her first career goal for the Rams.
• Sunday's match marked the first-ever meeting between Suffolk and Elms. 
•  LaBarbera, Malia Evans, and Morgan Bigwood made their collegiate debuts, Ryan had her first appearance for the Rams as well.
• The win marks the first win in double-overtime in program history. 
• Rodrigues's shutout also marks the first opening day shutout since 2010, in a 0-0 draw against Eastern Nazarene College.
• Suffolk shutout an opponent for the first time since the 2018 season finale, a 6-0 decision at Mass. Maritime Oct. 23.
• The Rams have kept an opponent off the scoreboard six times with Van Vechten on the bench. 
• Rodrigues now has five shutouts to her credit throughout her collegiate career.  

POST-GAME PIC
 

COMING UP
Suffolk welcomes Fitchburg State to James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park for the Rams' home opener Saturday, Sept. 7. Game time is set for a midday kickoff at 12 p.m.