EAST BOSTON – For the first time in program history, Suffolk women's soccer took down Lesley and did so in shutout fashion as Allison Rodrigues stood tall in net to backstop the 2-0 victory Saturday afternoon at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | Lesley 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-1-0) | Lesley (4-2-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Most of the first frame at Suffolk on the defensive side of the ball as Lesley commanded the pace of the action. An opportunity arose for the Lynx just 10 minutes into the action when Juliana Rossini saw an opening in the bottom half of the net. Her attempt split the blue-and-gold defenders and was about to pass the goal line, but Rodrigues' kick sliding save came out of nowhere to keep things scoreless.
Eight minutes later, the Lynx had another chance to punch through the score when Chloe Kouyoumdjian sent a snipe from 20 yards out. The attempt flew just inches over the cross bar though and zeroes remained on both sides.
As time ticked on the Rams rallied and put pressure on Lesley. With just over 10 minutes remaining before the break Hayley Long gave the hosts the go ahead. From Lauren Lacy's right 16 yards out, the junior booted a left footed strike into the left corner of the net to give Suffolk a 1-0 edge. Kiara Wilson helped set up the shot.
The Rams did not stop there as they doubled the distance 15 minutes into the second stanza. Kylie Flynn used a corner kick to her advantage as she placed a pass high inside the box to set up Lily Christian's header that hit the right post before touching the twine to make it 2-0 Suffolk in the 61st minute.
It was all tactics and defense for the Rams from there to preserve the win. Rodrigues did her thing in between the pipes as the senior turn aside all three of the Lynx shot put on target in the final 20 minutes of play.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Rodrigues finished the afternoon with a season-high seven saves in the shutout.
- Lacy stopped five shots in the setback.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Christian and Long each registered one goal, while Flynn and Wilson were responsible for one assist apiece.
- Lesley outshot Suffolk, 18-14, however both teams put seven attempts on net.
- The Lynx took more corners compared to the Rams, 7-2.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk took down Lesley for the first time in program history.
- Suffolk and Lesley met for the first time since 2018 and seventh time overall.
- The Rams potted its fourth-ever goal against Lynx in the all-time series. Suffolk has only found the back of the net against Lesley three times prior to this year's Saturday showdown.
- Suffolk scored two goals against Lesley for just the second time in the all-time series, first since a 5-2 setback to the Lynx Sept. 28, 2015.
- Three of the Rams' five all-time goals versus Lesley have come in the Ashely Van Vechten era.
- All three of Suffolk's victories have come in shutout fashion.
- Rodrigues now has 14 shutouts in her collegiate career.
- Suffolk has kept an opponent off the scoreboard 14 times with Van Vechten on the bench.
- Long and Wilson each produced their first points as Rams.
- Long found the back of the twine for the first time in a Suffolk jersey.
- Wilson notched her first collegiate assist.
- Christian has produced a goal in all three of the Rams' victories this season.
POST-GAME PIC
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will be back in Eastie Tuesday, Sept. 14 when it entertains Fisher in a 7:00 p.m. showdown.
