WESTFIELD, Mass. – Carter Van Buskirk (St. Louis, Mo./ Marquette High School) scored the game winning goal in the 15th minute to lift the Suffolk Rams over Westfield State on Saturday, September 3 on Alumni Field.
Westfield State falls to 0-1-1 on the season while the Rams improve to 2-0.
Miguel Varela (Milton, Mass./ Milton) set up the game's lone goal with a pass that was deflected in traffic but still managed to find the feet of his teammate in the box. Van Buskirk made a quick turn to evade a pair of Owl defenders 15 yards from the goal and blasted a shot that slid inside the far post.
All of Westfield's six shots came in the second half with their best scoring opportunity coming 30 seconds from final time. Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass./ Falmouth) played a driving pass from the midfield line 45 yards down field to a streaking Jesse Njamnshi (Fitchburg, Mass./ Fitchburg). Njamnshi controlled the first touch in the box while running full speed and was able to get off a point- blank shot on the charging goalie that sailed high.
Drew Adams (North Attleboro, Mass./ North Attleboro) made 10 saves in the setback for the Owls and Xander Balog (Tallahassee, Fla./ Leon) turned away two shots for a clean sheet win.
Suffolk held a 24-6 advantage in shots and 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The Owls will host Western New England on Wednesday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m. while the Rams head to Mass. Maritime on Monday, September 5 at 3:00 p.m.