Suffolk men’s soccer was set for a 16-match slate with a 27-man roster with a mix of experience and newcomers.
Perserverance was tested early on as adversity hit the Rams when assistant coach Austin Burrows was promoted into interim head coach status one-game into the campaign.
Through the first handful of outings the blue-and-gold went into double overtime twice, first in the season opener, a 1-all draw at Mass. Maritime, and again two weeks later, a 2-1 setback in the GNAC debut against Albertus Magnus. In between, Suffolk sealed its first win, a 1-0 shutout against Lesley behind Sunjoon Tenorio’s goal with 2:56 left in regulation, however, that was the only victory the Rams got across five games to sit 1-3-1.
Persistence paid off though and the 36th-edition of the Rams did what no team has done since 2011, down Norwich. Once again Tenorio’s boot connected for the game-winner in the 1-0 triumph. Following a highlight reel save by Steven Lopez on one end, momentum shifted to the offensive end where on a breakaway Emilio Tenacio threaded the needle to find Tenorio.
From there wins were traded with losses, but Suffolk remained in GNAC playoff contention on October 8 with a 2-4 league ledger.
Tested with two games over three days, Tenorio was once again the main ingredient for Suffolk’s scoring. First against Regis, the rookie buried a strike 1:35 into overtime to seal a 2-1 decision in the Rams favor. He then found the back of the net within the first 17 minutes in the non-conference finale against Mitchell, which led to a 1-0 win, to string back-to-back victories together for the first time since 2017.
Back in conference contests Suffolk’s drive faded with three consecutive setbacks to be put outside of the post-season scenario.
The blue-and-gold did cap off 2019 on a high note, a 2-1 overtime victory at Rivier, to end the year 6-9-1 overall and 4-7-0 against league foes.
THROUGH THE LENS
rams fan fest benefits suffolk cares
Suffolk athletics used its Rams Fan Fest event Saturday, Oct. 5 during Suffolk Weekend as a donation drive for Suffolk CARES.
The first-year partnership at the annual event in East Boston saw 235 non-perishable items donated in exchange for Suffolk Athletics swag. The donations received re-stocked the Suffolk CARES Pantry, a resource for Suffolk University students facing food insecurity located at 73 Tremont, 12th Floor.
TRIUMPHANT TENORIO
Sunjoon Tenorio had the golden boot for the blue-and-gold. Of the 24 goals scored, the freshman was responsible for nearly half, netting 10, five of which were game winners. Of the 62 points, he had 35.5 percent (10g, 2a). For his efforts, he was awarded with GNAC Rookie of the Week status three times, a feat that is a first in the Rams record books’, which date back to the 2008 campaign.
tenacio embodies student-athlete MEANING
Emilio Tenacio made the most of his first-year in Boston.
On the pitch he was second on the squad in points with nine. The rookie's stat line was divided evenly between goals (3) and assists (3), both of which were good for second on the team.
On campus he joined clubs and activities and represented Ram Nation in the second Suffolk's Got Talent competition, where he played the violin.
In the classroom he took the opportunity to study abroad at Suffolk's Madrid campus during the spring semester. He journaled his time, while stamping his academic passport, in Rams' Round the World.
skeiber's sportsmanship
Mike Skeiber earned GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team status.
Skeiber, a senior from Scituate, Massachusetts, wrapped up his four-year career with the Rams this fall. He appeared in 48 games at the midfield, and helped the blue-and-gold to a 28-37-2 record, including a 6-9-1 overall mark this season.
The all-sportsmanship team was established to honor one player from each team in the conference outstanding dedication to sportsmanship and for their portrayal of good sportsmanship, fair play and a positive attitude.
SENIOR SALUTE
Prior to kick-off on Saturday, Oct. 26 against Colby Sawyer, Suffolk men's soccer honored its six members of the Class of 2020 in a Senior Day Ceremony at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.
RAMS REFLECT
In first person narratives, Suffolk's seniors had a chance to look back on their time as Suffolk student-athletes in Rams Reflections.
I couldn't imagine my Suffolk experience without my teammates and coaches. This program had gifted me so much for which I am forever grateful.
<< JACKSON HINES
To be a true Ram, you need perseverance. No matter the setback, whether injury, financial or academic, student-athletes here have that drive and hunger to work towards something great. That to me is what it means to be a true Ram, no setback is ever too big to overcome.
<< Steven Lopez
new era - Maddock head coach
Director of Athletics Cary McConnell announced the hiring of Bill Maddock as the head coach of the Rams' men's soccer program January 23.
Maddock spent last season with the Beavers of Babson College, serving as an assistant coach to the 2019 NEWMAC regular-season and conference tournament champions.
We are thrilled to welcome Bill to Suffolk University. As we all know, there's a journey and a process to developing the skills of individual players and building the chemistry of a team. Bill not only possess those skills, but relishes the challenges that comes with them. His excitement and passion for wanting to compete and develop student-athletes, not just on the field, but as holistic individuals, at the highest level embodies our vision and values at Suffolk. For that, we look forward to the future success of our men's soccer program under Bill's leadership.
<< CARY MCCONNELL, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
spring silenced
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Suffolk men's soccer's spring season, the first under new head coach Bill Maddock, was canceled.
The challenges of not having that non-traditional season for any program is difficult, but one that has a new head coach and will transition to the highly competitive Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), could be detrimental. Fortunately, the Rams are taking using these factors to fuel the fire for the upcoming year.
It was disappointing not being able to hold a non-traditional season this spring, however, I believe the decisions made to ensure the health and safety of not only the student-athletes but the entire Suffolk community was the right one. Despite the unique challenges our new staff is facing in the first few months on campus, I am happy to see how the players have responded. The guys are working hard at home preparing themselves mentally and physically for our fall season and I am confident will be ready to hit the ground running come August.