BABSON PARK, Mass. – Behind the goalie gloves of Xander Balog, Suffolk men's soccer remains unbeaten in 2023 as the Rams kept Babson off the board through 90 minutes of regulation for a 0-0 tie at MacDowell Field Tuesday night.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0 | Babson 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-0-1) | Babson (2-0-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both squads had a shot on target within the first 16 minutes, each of which were turned aside by their respective keepers.
The Beavers stepped up big in the 32:21 minute when Dominic Rinaldi's shot was stopped by the host defense to keep zeros on the board after the first 45 minutes.
The Rams peppered Walker White with five shots over the second stanza, but he did not falter.
Similar to White, Balog remained perfect in the second half with the pair of shots he faced including one that came off Justin Stone's boot with 1:04 remaining on the clock to clinch the draw for the blue-and-gold.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Balog finished with three saves.
- White, who has yet to give up a goal through three outings this year, finished with six stops.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Suffolk outshot Babson, 11-4, including a 7-3 shots on goal advantage.
- The Beavers had more corner kicks, 5-4.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk is unbeaten through its first three contests for the second straight season.
- The Rams have kept back-to-back opponents off the scoreboard for the first time since Oct. 8-11, 2022 when it blanked the University of New England and Wentworth by identical 4-0 margins.
- Every battle between Suffolk and Babson has taken place in Babson Park, Mass.
- The Rams played to a tie against Babson for the second time, first since a 0-0 double overtime draw Oct. 5, 2021.
- Suffolk moved to 0-1-2 versus the Beavers under Bill Maddock's guidance.
- The Rams have outshot their foes both overall and on net in all three games of the season in 2023.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk remains on the road Saturday, Sept. 9 for a Beantown battle at Emerson. First kick is set for 1 p.m.
