Judges Blank Men’s Soccer, 2-0

NEWTON, MA – Brandeis University scored two second half goals to triumph over Lasell College, 2-0, in non-conference men's soccer play on Monday afternoon, at Taylor Field.  The Judges improve their overall record to 9-4-1, while the Lasers finalize their regular season record at 8-6-2. 

The contest was a physical one with 30 fouls and seven yellow cards called between the two teams. Brandeis was able to more than double the shooting chances that Lasell received, producing 25 total shots in the contest to Lasell's nine.  The visitors also fared much better in corner kicks, taking 11 opportunities to Lasell's one.

The first half was back-and-forth in the swing of action resulting in a 0-0 tie at the break.  Brandeis fashioned ten total shots in the half, while Lasell took just three, though the teams were equal in recording two shots on-frame each. Brandeis did hold a 5-1 edge in corner kick opportunities in the half. 

Joe Eisenbies (Hingham, MA) broke up the deadlock, at 52:06, when Lee Russo (Westford, MA) sailed a direct kick into the penalty box and Eisenbies tipped in the go-ahead goal. 

The Judges utilized the momentum of the lead change to their advantage and bolstered their play over the following minutes. Lasell's goal keeper Matthew Bruninghaus (Plymouth, MA) staved off six Brandeis shots to keep Lasell within striking distance.  Bruninghaus also took help from the Lasers' defense when, with twenty minutes left to play, Russo had the opportunity to put the Judges further ahead when he was presented with an open shot on the net.  The offending shot, however, was stifled by defender Stephen Petrin (Vernon, CT) at the last moment before it crossed the goal line. 

With less than three minutes left in the match, Brandeis' Alexander Farr (Nahant, MA) tacked on the final goal of the game.  Farr and Kyle Feather (Pinebrook, NJ) executed a give-and-go goal situation in the Lasers box coaxing Bruninghaus out of net which allowed Farr to drive the shot just inside the far post to complete scoring.

Bruninghaus collected seven total saves in the loss, while Taylor Bracken (North Andover, MA) stopped five shot attempts in the shutout victory for Brandeis. 

The Judges have three more regular season contests to play, beginning with an away contest at Washington (Mo.) on Friday, October 29th at 8:30 p.m. Lasell rests from competition until Saturday, October 30th when they will play host as the top seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament, at noon.