WESTFIELD, Mass. – Carter Van Buskirk's first collegiate goal proved to be the difference to lift Suffolk men's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Westfield State Saturday night at Alumni Field. 

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

HOW IT HAPPENED
Miguel Varela set up the game's lone goal with a pass that was deflected in traffic, but still managed to find the feet of his teammate in the box. Van Buskirk made a quirk turn to evade a pair of Owl defenders 15 yards from the goal and blasted a shot that slide inside the far post.  

Suffolk held onto that advantage through the first half and kept Westfield State without a shot on target in the first 45 minutes. 

The Owls did see six chances in the second stanza, however. The best chance came in the final 30 seconds. Coleby Andrade played a driving pass from the midfield line 45 yards down field to streaking Jesse Njamnshi. Njamnshi controlled the first touch in the box, while running full speed and was able to get off a point-blank shot on the changing goalie that sailed high.  

NETMINDER NOTES

• Xander Balog made two saves in the victory. 
• Drew Adams logged 10 stops in the setback.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Buskirk put away the lone goal. 
• Varela dished out one assist. 
• Suffolk outshot Westfield State, 24-6. 
• The Rams held the Owls without a shot in the first half. 
• Suffolk took five corners compared to WSU's one.   

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk opened the season 2-0 for the first time since opening 2012 with three straight victories. 
• The Rams defeated Westfield State for the first time in program history. 
• Suffolk moved to 1-1-0 all-time against the Owls. 
• The Rams played at Westfield State for the first time. 
• Both of Suffolk's games against Westfield State have come under Bill Maddock's direction. 
• The Rams kept an opponent off the scoreboard for the first time in 2022 and first time since a 2-0 triumph over Curry Oct. 23, 2021. 
• Van Bushkirk found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career. 
• Varela dished out an assist in both games this season.  

POST-GAME PIC
 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk concludes its hectic opening-weekend at Mass. Maritime Monday, Sept. 5. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.