Mike McMahon
Journal Staff

The men’s soccer team has had a tough season filled with injuries and tough loses, but with two remaining games in the season, the Rams are looking to clinch a playoff spot. Despite a tough 1-0 loss to Emerson last week, the Rams won a crucial match last Saturday (Suffolk Spirit Night) against Norwich University, 2-1. Captain midfielder Nick Cugine kicked off the scoring with a header off a corner kick from Nick DiCicco in the 12th minute. Two minutes after the game was tied up, Andres Cohen scored the deciding goal from 15 feet out in the 78th minute with assists from Danny Lloyd and James Harvey. Also, freshman goalkeeper James Potter stood out with eight saves.

The Rams showed on Saturday that it was nice to have the majority of their banged up players back on the pitch.
“We have been battered with injuries this year, at times missing six or seven starters in some games” Coach Andrius Zeikus said. “The goal is to get starters back into the rotation and to be more organized on the soccer field.”
One of those starters that returned to action this weekend was senior captain and defenseman David Best. “We have missed David’s leadership as he is our director in the back of the field and breaks down opponents plays.”Zeikus said. Best’s leadership and energy will certainly give a kick to the defense.
With the win over Norwich, the Rams move to 4-4-1 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play, but after an out of conference loss on Monday to Endicott, they stand 5-10-1 overall on the season. The loss to Endicott marks the last of home games for the Rams this year but they head on the road Wednesday to face off against Tufts University in another out of conference game. The regular season finale will take place Saturday 10/22 at Johnson & Wales University in a pivotal GNAC game that could put the Rams in postseason play or end their season.
Coach Zeikus talked about how crazy conference play has been this season. “The GNAC has been a very competitive conference where anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Hopefully luck will be on our side,” he said.
However, they may not need luck. With Lloyd’s mastery on attack (leading the team with ten goals and four assists), Cugine’s leadership and skill in the midfield, and the return of Best on defense, the Rams have three experienced and skilled leaders in all fields and could be a postseason underdog worthy of being noticed.