The women’s soccer team tied the Roger Williams University Hawks 0-0 after two overtimes last Thursday night, but defeated the Clark University Cougars 5-1 on Sunday at home. With the two games their overall record improves to 4-1-2 with an undefeated home record of 4-0 and an away record of 0-1-2. The win against Clark put Brandeis Coach Denise Dallamora just three wins shy of the 250-career win mark. She would become only the 15th coach in Division III women’s soccer history to accomplish this feat, and only the second from New England.
The shutout against the Hawks was the 18th in her career for goalkeeper and co-captain Hillary Rosenzweig ’10. With that accomplishment she has moved into a tie for second place on the university’s all-time shutout list. She is one shutout away from tying Justine McBride ’92 for most in school history and two away from holding that record on her own.
Both teams had numerous chances to get on the board, but were unable to do so thanks to some great defensive action and, in some cases, unlucky breaks. Co-captain Melissa Gorenkoff had a great shot in the 11th minute of the game, hammering the ball from outside the box towards the goal, but Roger Williams’ rookie goalkeeper, Kristen Darling, managed to punch the ball over the next to block the shot.
The Judges had a number of other opportunities to get on the board, including a shot by Tiffany Pacheco ’11 that Darling was barely able to get a hand on and one in the second half by Mimi Theodore ’12 whose shot went just wide of the goal. The Hawks also had a few chances to break the scoreless tie, but none of their efforts succeeded. Their best opportunity came in the 63rd minute when forward Katie Fusaro ’12 forced Rosenzweig to come after the ball, but after dodging the Brandeis keeper, Fusaro’s shot went wide.
The Hawks outshot the Judges in the first overtime 3-2, but the Judges regained control in the second overtime and outshot their counterparts 4-1. During the course of the entire game, Brandeis had 22 shots, six of which were on target courtesy of three from Pacheco and three from Gorenkoff. Roger Williams had 20 shots with six on target from four different players. Both Rosenzweig and Darling had six saves in the game.
The Judges went on to host the Cougars Sunday and defeated them 5-1. Brandeis controlled the play with 25 shots, 13 of which were on target, compared to only 10 shots attempted by Clark and seven on target resulting in one goal.
The win against Clark was huge,” said co-captain Rosenzweig. “After loosing in overtime to them last year it really boosted our confidence to beat them in such a dominating fashion.”
Mimi Theodore had her first of three goals in the game in the 27th minute. Gorenkoff got the ball to Pacheco, who split the defenders and passed the ball to Theodore. Theodore then shot the ball over the head of Clark’s goalkeeper Joanna Clark ’10. This was the only goal of the first half as the Judges were unable to capitalize on their 12-4 shooting advantage.
The eventual game-winning goal came in the 60th minute of play. Ali Theodore ’12 and Pacheco made their way up the field using the “give and go” technique. This strategy involves one player passing the ball to another, and the initial passer breaks to get open for the return pass. This enabled Pacheco to get up the field and score her fourth goal on the season with the assist from Ali Theodore.
The Cougars finally broke onto the board shortly after that. In the 62nd minute Clark was awarded a penalty kick after Brandeis was called on a hand-ball in the box. Clark’s Laura Hedden ’11 got the shot past Rosenzweig to get her team on the board, but this would be the only goal Clark would manage against the Judges.
In the final 11 minutes of the game, Brandeis put up an additional three goals. A corner kick by Pacheco was turned into a goal thanks to a well-directed header by Alanna Torre ’12. The second goal came off a long ball by Gorenkoff that Mimi Theodore shot right past the Cougar keeper. The final goal of the game happened with less than four minutes remaining. Again, Mimi Theodore and Gorenkoff teamed up to get the goal with Mimi heading in the ball off a cross by Gorenkoff.
The Judges faced Gordon College away on Thursday afternoon, but the score was not available before publication. When asked about the game, Rosenzweig was optimistic about their chances despite their current record on the road. “We are going to go into the Gordon game the same we go into all the others, looking to play our game,” she said. “As long as we stick to that game plan I know we can come out successful.”
In addition to the win again Clark, the women’s team received even more good news this week: Pacheco was named one of the University Athletic Assocation Athletes of the Week. Pacheco had three goals and three assists on the week for a total of nine points while the Judges went 2-0-1. She remains second in scoring in the UAA with 13 points and tied for most assists with five.
“Tiff had a great week.,” Rosenzweig told The Hoot. “She’s a hard worker and deserves tall he accolades she receives.”
The Judges will face Wellesley at home next Wednesday Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
