EAST BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer handled Emmanuel in its 2024 season debut, 4-1, Friday afternoon at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 4 | Emmanuel 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-0-0) | Emmanuel (0-1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk took a 3-1 lead into the locker room.
The Rams first goal of the season came off a penalty kick as Francisco Valck converted the PK at the 24:01 minute mark of the opening half. Six minutes later, the sophomore scored his second of the day with help from Diego Pierantozzi to pad the blue-and-gold's lead to a pair.
Emmanuel responded 1:15 later when sophomore Cam Naples scored his first career collegiate goal, off his own rebound, to trim Suffolk's advantage in half in the 32nd minute.
Miguel Varela restored the two-goal gap with just over five minutes to play before halftime when he put away Jeremy Cooke's set-up to make it 3-1.
Suffolk stretched its lead to three in the 55th minute when Damon Smargon put away a penalty kick.
Emmanuel was limited to just one shot the rest of the way, which was blocked by the blue-and-gold's defense to keep things 4-1 in Suffolk's favor.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Nathan Harlow logged the win in net with a five-save effort.
- Maddox Pierce took the loss on opening day in the Saints goal.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Valck paced Suffolk's offensive output with a two-goal effort.
- Varela and Smargon scored one goal apiece.
- Pierantozzi recorded the lone assist for the Rams.
- Emmanuel outshot Suffolk, 15-10.
- The Saints took more corner kicks as well, 3-2.
*Portions of this release courtesy of the Suffolk Athletic Communications Office
