EAST BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer started its 2022 season in the win column as the Rams took down Mitchell, 2-1, Thursday afternoon at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park. With the victory, the blue-and-gold put together back-to-back season-opening victories for the first time in over a decade. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | Mitchell 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-0-0) | Mitchell (0-1-0) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk wasted little time to find its way on the board as Miguel Varela and Brady Sorensen teamed up just over six minutes into the action. Varela dribbled down the left side of the field and pulled the Mariners defense with him. The sophomore shuffled a pass to Sorensen on the right side, who shot high into the opposite side of the net to push the Rams onto the board. 

As the first frame went on the Rams continued to put pressure on Mitchell and managed to find the back of the net twice more, however both strikes were called due to offsides to keep it a one-goal game at the intermission.

Suffolk clung to its one-goal advantage for most of the second stanza until the final 10 minutes. Chippy played ensued and Nolan Clack saw an opportunity that he capitalized on to even the playing field at 1-all with 8:46 remaining in regulation.  

Thankfully for the host, the Mariners scored on their own goal nine seconds later to push the Rams in front again and for good, 2-1. 

NETMINDER NOTES

• Xander Balog did not see much action in the victory. 
• Joey Rosa scooped up 10 saves in the setback. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Sorensen scored Suffolk's first goal of the season with an assist from Varela. 
• The Rams outshot the Mariners, 26-4, including 12-1 in shots on goals. 
• The blue-and-gold took nine corners compared to Mitchell's one.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk won its second straight season opener. It is the first time since 2008-09 that the Rams have opened back-to-back seasons in the win column. 
• Suffolk improves to 12-7-1 in its first test of the year since 2002. 
• The Rams are unbeaten in game one under Bill Maddock's guidance, 2-0-0.
• The Rams improved to 8-2-0 when opening the curtain on its campaign in front of its home crowd since 2002. 
• Suffolk moved to 2-1-0 all-time against Mitchell all-time. 
• The Rams defeated the Marines for the second time in as many meetings and in the all-time series. 
• The Rams tangled with Mitchell in its first game on a schedule for the first time. 
• Sorensen scored his first goal of the season, sixth of his career. 

POST-GAME PIC
  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk heads out on the road for the first time this season Saturday, Sept. 3 when it visits Westfield State for a 5 p.m. outing.