Late goal sends Men's Soccer to 2-1 defeat against Suffolk

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Soccer team held a slim 1-0 lead at halftime, but a pair of second half goals – including the game winner with 1:06 left in regulation – gave Suffolk University the 2-1 win in a thrilling Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at a cold Raider Field.

Rivier falls to an overall record of 1-11-0 (0-7 GNAC) while Suffolk notches their first win and are now 1-12-1 (1-5-1 GNAC).

Junior Alex Armstrong (Wakefield, R.I.) gave the Raiders an early lead as his shot from just outside the six yard box was able to sneak past Suffolk senior goalkeeper Nicholas Chamma (Rio de Janerio, Brazil). Armstrong received a perfect volley from classmate Michael Russo (Lynn, Mass.) and buried it for his second goal of the season.

The momentum began to shift in favor of the visitors when the second half started. Suffolk freshman Mike Luntadila (Kinshasa, Congo) took a feed from freshman Jordan Casey (East Hampton, Conn.) and tucked into the near side upper corner to even the match in the 55th minute.

The teams would exchange chances over the course of the second stanza until a late Rivier miscue allowed the Rams a corner opportunity with about 1:20 remaining in regulation. Casey took the corner and lifted the ball to the near side post where it found junior Jose Guilen (Mexico). Guilen then redirected the ball and squeezed it past the Raider goalkeeper and the post for the game winner. It was Guilen's first goal of the season and gave the Rams their first win of the season.

Sophomore Gary Archambault (Auburn, N.H.) made 10 saves on the evening while Chamma stopped five of six shots.

Next up for the Raiders will be a date with Emmanuel College in a GNAC contest on Wednesday evening at Raider Field. Suffolk will host Springfield College on Monday evening in their final home contest of the season.