WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University Men's Soccer (1-0) welcomed Suffolk (0-1) to Granger Field for the season opener for both squads. Following a scoreless first half, the Cougars struck twice in the first 16 minutes of the second half, withstanding a late goal from the Rams to earn their first win of the season.
How it Happened
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The Rams generated the first three chances of the game in the first 11 minutes, with a shot in the third minute that was saved by senior Jaime Pedraza and a pair of headers that sailed wide.
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Clark fired its first shot on goal in the 15th minute off the foot of first-year Julian Dubash.
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After a shot from sophomore Shahmeer Waseem was blocked, Suffolk fired another shot on goal in the 26th minute, but Pedraza again made the save to keep the game scoreless.
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Pedraza added two more saves, including a terrific diving effort in the 39th minute, but was matched by a soaring save from Nathan Harlow on a shot from first-year William Roderick in the 43rd minute. The half ultimately ended scoreless.
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Waseem came out firing in the second half, recording four shots, including one on goal in the 50th minute.
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The Cougars broke the tie in the 56th minute, as Dubash fired a free kick into the 18-yard box, with senior Myles Nelson-Atkins elevating above the pack to launch a header into the net for the first goal of the game.
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Five minutes later, Clark struck again, with a header from first-year Ewan McIntosh finding Dubash, who fired the ball off the keeper and into the net for his first career goal.
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The Rams answered in the 76th minute, with John Wood threading the needle to Yohan Chung for a bottom-corner finish.
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Suffolk put one final shot on goal in the 86th minute, but Pedraza came up clutch again with a timely save, securing the 2-1 win for Clark.
Inside the Box Score
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Clark fired 11 shots, with five landing on goal, while also earning five corners.
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In his collegiate debut, Dubash scored the first goal of his career and recorded the first assist of his career.
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Nelson-Atkins added a goal, the second of his career, also giving him his seventh career point.
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McIntosh also recorded a point in his debut with an assist.
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Roderick, Nelson-Atkins, sophomore Jacob Ordonez, first-year Nicholas Dorr, and sophomore Brendan Stevenson played the full 90 minutes for the Cougars.
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Pedraza also played the full game in net, making a career-high five saves and earning the win, the fourth of his career.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White hit the road for the first time, traveling south to take on Union College on Friday, September 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
