The Brandeis womens soccer team opened this season at home in no ordinary style, It was a victory that made the record books. On Saturday September 3rd, the team played its first match of the season against MIT on Brandeiss Gordon Field, the recent recipient of a million dollar makeover. In previous years, the field had been considered way too undersized, hindering the team in away matches, as they were not used to larger playing fields. Coach Denise Dallamora, now in her 26th season as the coach of the womens soccer team, captured her 200th victory as the Judges shutout the Engineers 3-0. Dallamora is only the 19th Division III womens soccer coach to reach this prestigious milestone.
The Judges allowed just five shots on goal while attempting 29 of their own. The scoring started after nearly 33 minutes when Lauren Gregor, senior co-captain, scored downfield on an assist by Lizzie Bremner 08. Later, in the second half, Nickey Guertin 08, scored her first goal ever after Brittany Douglass 07, bounced a shot off the goal post that Guertin quickly snatched up, giving Brandeis a two-goal lead. Roughly three minutes later, Gregor sealed the victory by recording her fourth multi-goal game when she scored her second of the match, driving it by goalie Kat Vater with a penalty kick rewarded to Brandeis off an MIT foul. Brandeis goalie Betsy Medow 08, made an impressive showing in her first start, needing only one save to shut down the MIT offense. MITs Engineers, now 0-1, did have a few close shots in the beginning of the second half, but Brandeiss spectacular defense aided in keeping the shut out alive.
Coming off an impressive season that the leaves the core of the team intact, the Judges look forward to a promising 2005 season. Last year, the team equaled a Brandeis best in wins going 16-5. During that remarkable run, the team reached the final game of the Eastern College Athletic New England womens soccer tournament, which Brandeis hosted last November, losing to Western Connecticut State University in a close 4-2 match.
Since the womens soccer team started here at Brandeis back in 1980, Coach Denise Dallamora has been the leader, helping the squad emerge into one of the best overall teams in Division III sports. Because of her efforts, she has received multiple awards, including recognition and praise from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for her outstanding contributions. () I have enjoyed working at Brandeis The kids are great The support is great (), commented Dallamora when asked about her time at Brandeis. She has complete confidence in herself to excel, stating, () I look forward to 200 more.
The womens soccer team hopes to continue its winning streak at home after a tough 1-0 road loss to Babson College on Tuesday (9/6). Brandeis, now 1-1, will play a strong Clark University team this Saturday (9/10) at 1 P.M. The Cougars, currently 2-1, just came off an incredible 10-0 win Wednesday (9/7) over Anna Maria College. It will be a terrific home game as Brandeis goes head to head with an evenly matched Clark University.
