MSOC: Lasell edges Suffolk in key GNAC game; Tsuji scores twice for Lasers

NEWTON, Mass. – Junior Takuya Tsuji (Japan) tallied his first two career goals Wednesday afternoon as Lasell University defeated Suffolk University, 3-1, in a key Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's soccer contest at Taylor Field.

The Lasers (5-13 overall, 4-5 GNAC) recorded their fourth straight win and are currently tied for seventh place in the GNAC, with a strong contention for their first playoff appearance since 2015. Suffolk drops to 5-8-1 overall and 3-6 in conference play.

Suffolk took the lead early with a penalty kick goal by Leonardo Acosta (Miami, Fla.) in the 32nd minute. Tsuji tallied back-to-back goals in an eight-minute span, as he scored with an assist from junior Kevin Pitt (Bayshore, N.Y.) in the 35th minute and an unassisted tally in the 43rd minute.

The Rams maintained their offensive pressure, out-shooting the Lasers 16-11, but senior keeper Jackson Burhans (Berlin, N.Y.) was solid in goal for the rest of the game with seven saves.

Junior Simon Nigro (Simsbury, Conn.) solidified the outcome in the 78th minute, dribbling past the goalie and chipping the ball past a defender for an unassisted goal to extend the Lasell lead to 3-1.

Lasell returns to the pitch on Saturday, October 26, with a GNAC game at Rivier University at 2:30 p.m. Suffolk returns home to host Colby Sawyer College on Saturday at 12 p.m. for Senior Day.

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