Mike Giannattasio
Journal Staff

The Suffolk University Men’s Soccer team defeated the Emerson College Lions in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Quarterfinals this past Saturday.

Senior Luis Flores tallied the contest’s only goal in the 60th minute of the contest with a shot from twenty yards out. Junior Danny Lloyd assisted on the goal, as he sent a long pass down the right side of the playing field.

Freshman Matt Esposito made six saves in the shutout for the Rams. He made some very clutch stops throughout the game, including a mid-air save with 11 minutes remaining in the second half.

Head coach Andrius Zeikus was very pleased with what he saw from his team in their first playoff matchup.

“Everyone who was on the field played with the passion and wanted to prove that we are ready to take things to the next level,” the coach explained. “We controlled the game and defended very well. Once we stay focused and play hard, it’s a joy to coach them during any game. I don’t want to point anybody who played well because largely it was a team effort throughout an entire game.”

Suffolk outshot Emerson 17-14 in the game, but neither squad could score a goal in the first half.

Lloyd had a breakaway seven minutes into the competition but could not capitalize. Flores also missed a wide open shot for another Suffolk scoring opportunity thirty minutes into the game, as his shot was prevented by a Lions’ defender.

Prior to the team’s semi-finals matchup with Lasell on Tuesday, Zeikus spoke highly of their conference opponent.

“Lasell is one of the toughest teams to beat in our conference; they are a very well established program in the region. For us, the most important areas are [staying] focused throughout the entire game, [and] we need to defend well as a team and for the whole game. Guys on the team are very passionate about the game and have a lot of desire to prove to themselves that they are ready. If we defend well, play together, play hard, and possess and move the ball well, anything can happen on Tuesday.”

As if listening intently to what their coach had to say, the men’s team came out Tuesday and won an impressive match, 2-1.  Freshman Nicholas DiCicco scored the game-winning goal in the 39th minute to help the Rams advance to the GNAC Finals on Saturday.

Freshman goalie Matt Esposito played well in net, making five crucial saves in the win. Although the Rams were outshot 22-13 in the contest, they were able to hold Lasell to only one shot in the final 19 minutes.

The Rams, who finished as the fourth seed in the GNAC, will play No. 2, seed Albertus Magnus College, on Saturday. Although the team lost their only matchup on Nov. 9, the men’s squad has won five of their last six games, and will look to continue that streak in the title match.