BOSTON – Framingham State broke a 2-2 tie in the 95th minute to steal Suffolk men's soccer home opener by a 3-2 margin Monday afternoon at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2, Framingham State 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (0-2) | Framingham State (2-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk started the scoring at the midway point of the first frame. Alex Desaulnier set up Leonardo Acosta with a cross front and center and the rookie from Miami, Florida, snuck the ball into the netting from just two yards out.
As time dwindled down, FSU capitalized on a Suffolk yellow card and received an indirect kick inside the box with just under three minutes remaining before intermission. Bryce Nardizzi slipped the rock to Akeem Bucknor who curved the ball from the left 15-yard line into the goal post to equalize the game at 1-1.
Out of the break, Framingham had an opportunity to take the lead as Bucknor went on a breakaway. The sophomore forward took David Haines one-on-one and Suffolk's keeper made a dive to stop Bucknor's attempt, which looked to be just out of his grasp by the senior's finger tips turned it aside and kept things tied at one.
Haines hands continued to make stops including a punch save off a corner kick in the 59th minute, but he was tested with a cluster right in front in the box. Ken Stahovish's header went wide and Scott Christensen picked up the pieces, finding Isaac De Souza in a perfect spot to slip it into the net and put FSU ahead, 2-1.
Suffolk kept things interesting and turned things up as time ticked off the clock. The host Rams knotted the game at 2-all with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation thanks to Declan Mee's 25-yard, free-kick boot.
Despite both team's seeing opportunities over the last 10 minutes, neither broke open the scoring the rest of the way to force the extra frame.
Bryce Nardizzi dribbled up the field, beat a handful of blue-and-gold jerseys and fired past Haines reach to lift FSU to a 3-2 victory.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Haines made 10 saves in a full-game performance.
- Corey Davidge earned the victory with a five-save effort.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Suffolk had 15 shots compared to Framingham's 26.
- The visiting Rams put 13 shots on target, while the host Rams had seven attempts on net.
- The Boston Rams held an edge in corners, 3-2.
- Mee and Acosta accounted for Suffolk's goals with the sophomore and rookie each scoring one.
- Desaulnier was the lone Ram to hand out an assist for the blue-and-gold.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk went into overtime for the first time this season and first time since taking Emmanuel to double overtime Oct. 7, 2018.
- With his first collegiate goal, Acosta has registered at least one point in both of Suffolk's outing. The freshman's stat line features one marker and one assist.
- Mee scored the first goal of his collegiate career.
- Desaulnier dished out his first assist as a Ram.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk will take a day off before heading out back on the road with a trip to Plymouth State scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5. Game time between the Rams and Panthers is scheduled for 5 p.m.
