SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 // 1:00 PM  LEARY FIELD // CHICOPEE, MASS. LIVE STATS // VIDEO
EYES ON THE MATCH SERIES RECORD // FIRST MEETING

BOSTON – Suffolk women's soccer makes the trip to Western Massachusetts Sunday, Sept. 1 to pull the curtain back on its 13th season at Elms. The Rams and Blazers are scheduled for a 1 p.m. showdown. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT #RAMNATION
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RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk sports a mixed Rams' roster of youth, transfers and experienced players lead by the main scorer from a year ago, Caleigh O'Brien (13g, 1a). The backbone to Suffolk's defensive unit keeper Allison Rodrigues (1.58 GAA, .802 save %) is back in the lineup for her sophomore season.  

The Rams lineup gets a boost from senior Emerson Wildes, junior Addisyn Lanza and sophomores Julia Hunt, Jackie Kelly and Carley Pearce. 

GEOGRAPHY 101
The 2019 Rams features 17 players representing seven states. There are 10 student-athletes that call Massachusetts home and two who hail from New York. California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island are also represented.  

CLASS RANKS
Suffolk's squad is comprised of all four classes. The seven-member junior class leads the way with six sophomores to go along with three true freshmen. Emerson Wildes will take the pitch for the final time in her collegiate career as the lone member of the Class of 2020.  

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
A quartet of newcomers have been added to the Rams' ranks for 2019 with three true freshmen – Morgan Bigwood, Malia Evans and Cassandra LaBarbera – along with standout transfer from Franklin Pierce, Caitlin Ryan.  

MORE READING: Rookie Rams: 2019 Women's Soccer 

RAMS RINGLEADER
Emerson Wildes will serve as captain of the 2019 Suffolk women's soccer team.  

MORE READING: Wildes to Lead Women's Soccer as 2019 Captain 

ON THE SIDELINES
Ashely Van Vechten, the first-ever female and full-time head coach of Suffolk women's soccer, is back for her second season at Suffolk.  

For the first time, Van Vechten will have help on the sidelines in goalkeepers coach Stephen Hill and graduate assistant Lindsey Keith.  

OPENING ACT

• Over its 12 seasons, Suffolk has straight together a 4-7-1 season opener record. 
• The Rams look for their first day one victory since a 2-1 decision at Rhode Island College to begin the 2017 campaign. 
• Suffolk will meet a first-ever opponent in Elms on day one of the season.  

WATCH AND SEE
Second-year head coach Ashley Van Vechten caught up with GoSuffolkRams.com last week to discuss the upcoming season. To hear what Van Vechten had to say and get a glimpse inside a Rams' training session, click on the video below.  

PRESEASON POLL POSITION
Suffolk picked up 64 points, including one first-place nod, in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was voted on by the conference's 12 head coaches, to finish ninth.

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Predicted Ninth in GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

BUCCANEERS BREAKDOWN
Mass. Maritime, who is coming off a 5-11-1 season, has 17 players returning to the pitch with a number of freshmen making their collegiate debuts.  

The core of the Bucs' offense from a year ago is back in the line-up headline by top offensive threat Benjamin Cook, who put away eight goals and set-up three others in 2018. Andrew Wayrynen (4g, 3a) and Stephen Froio (5g) are also back in the fold for MMA.  

Keeper is up for grabs as last season's go-to goalie, Connor Murphy, graduated. Mitch Hardy brings in the most experience. He backed up Murphy last year, playing 11 games, starting seven, to go put together a 2.19 GAA and .655 save percentage.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Elms will meet for the first time. 

EYES ON THE GAME

LOOKING AHEAD
Suffolk will play in front of its home crowd for the first time Saturday, Sept. 7 when it entertains Fitchburg State in a matinee at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.