The intensity on the field was matched only by the heat in the air Wednesday, as the Brandeis women’s soccer team kicked off its season at MIT’s Roberts Field. With temperatures reaching 90 degrees, the Judges fell to their intrastate rival in a 2-1 final. Tiffany Pacheco ’11 scored Brandeis’ lone goal while Lauren Hernley ’11 potted a pair for MIT.
The defeat marked the Judges’ first season opening loss to MIT in four years.
Brandeis’ first goal of the young campaign was scored at 18:04 of the first half. Off a pass from Madeline Stein ’14, a first-year from Mount Kisco, New York, Pacheco left-footed a shot that slid beyond the reach of MIT keeper Katy Olesnavage ’11. Last year, Pacheco finished second on the squad in goals scored (nine), and tied for the team lead in points with 24. Stein’s helper came in her first game in a Brandeis uniform.
MIT did not register its first shot of the game until more than 12 minutes later.
The Engineers’ most promising chance in the first half came at its very end. Brandeis keeper Francine Kofinas ’13 received a yellow card and MIT a penalty kick just before intermission. The resultant shot was smothered by Kofinas, who was making her first start as the team’s senior goalie.
Brandeis carried its one-goal lead until late in the second half. In the 72nd minute, MIT’s Andrea Park ’13 landed a free kick in the box that Hernley headed past Leah Sax ’14–spelling Kofinas in net–for the equalizer.
Less than eight minutes passed before Brandeis seemed to retake the lead. However, the apparent score from Megan Kessler ’14 was called back after officials deemed the play out of bounds.
Seconds later, MIT jumped ahead for good. A shot from Hernley took an odd bounce and grazed Sax’s fingers before going over her head and into the back of the net.
Brandeis outshot MIT by 11-10 overall, despite MIT registering eight shots on goal to Brandeis’ six. Kofinas made three saves and Sax two for Brandeis.
The Judges have two chances to earn their first win this weekend. They take on Babson (1-0) Saturday and William Paterson (0-1) Sunday as part of the Brandeis Invitational.
