NASHUA, N.H. – Suffolk women's soccer sealed its best regular-season in nearly a decade early on as a goal within the first 10 minutes paced the Rams to a 4-0 victory over Rivier on Wednesday evening at James A. Sartori Stadium in East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 4 | Rivier 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-5-0, 8-4-0 GNAC) | Rivier (2-14-2, 0-11-1 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk started firing out of the gate, getting on the board in the ninth minute. A long run from Caleigh O'Brien left the defense stranded, teeing up Julia Hunt,who was waiting across the six-yard area for a tap in, 1-0 Suffolk.
Following the goal, the Rams would pin the Raiders in its own half, leaving very few chances for the away team to find an open shot. Rivier would only have one shot on target over the first 45 minutes, which was comfortably scooped up by Alison Rodrigues. Suffolk would hold a 1-0 lead at the break.
Just nine minutes following the intermission, Suffolk doubled its lead to 2-0. After a build-up play down the left wing, Addisyn Lanza's pass played in Carly Pearce to tap into a gapping net for the game's second score.
Pearce would be involved a few minutes later, this time setting up a goal. A ball over the top from Pearce found O'Brien in stride. With an onrushing goalie, O'Brien fired her attempt to the keeper's right to make it 3-0 in the host's favor.
The Rams continued to frustrate the Raiders offense, breaking up possession and winning the ball high up the field. With five minutes left to play, Pearce set up her second strike of the night. This time a cross met Rachel Esteves at the back post for the final 4-0 advantage.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Rodrigues' two saves was enough to collect her eighth cleansheet of the season
- Micayla Bourski stopped six shots that were on target
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Pearce lead the way in points with four (one goal, two assists).
- Pearce, Hunt, O'Brien, and Esteves each collected one goal in the outing.
- The Rams outshot the Raiders, 18-6, while holding a 10-2 advantage on attempts on target.
- Suffolk had three corner kicks, compared to zero for Rivier.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk defeated Rivier for the first time in the Ashley Van Vechten era to move to 8-4-1 all-time against the Raiders.
- The Rams reserved their spot in the GNAC playoffs to play in the post-season for the first time under Van Vechten's guidance and first since 2017.
- Suffolk hit the 10-win mark for the first time since 2016 when it went 11-10 overall. The 10-victory season is the fourth in program history with the Rams eclipsing double-digit triumphs in 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.
- The Rams' captured their eighth league win of the year, which marks the second-most GNAC triumphs in a single season behind the record holding 2010 squad that win 10-2 versus conference competition.
- Suffolk kept an opponent quiet for the eighth time this season.
- The eight shutouts tie the most for the Rams in a single season in program history, which was last achieved in the 2010 campaign.
- Rodrigues recorded her eighths shutout of the year, which puts the sophomore in sole possession of second place in a single-season in program history.
- Rodrigues notched her 12th career shutout.
- Pearce matched a personal-best four points behind a career-high two assists and one goal.
- O'Brien produced her third outing with at least one goal and one handout this season.
- Esteves registered her first collegiate marker.
POST-GAME PIC
UP NEXT
The Rams have qualified for the GNAC playoffs and await its opponent for a quarterfinal match on Saturday, Nov.