The Judges defeated Springfield and Bridgewater State in low scoring matches (3-1 and 2-1, respectively) before trouncing Roger Williams to the tone of a 6-0 win Thursday.
Six games in, the squad appears to have found its mark.
“The team has been playing well-winning the 50/50 and [maintaining] good possession,” Head Coach Denise Dallamora told The Hoot in an e-mail.
It continued Saturday as Brandeis hosted Springfield in the team’s first non-Invitational home game of the season. Just 5:49 in, Ali Maresca ’12 put Brandeis on the board. The Junior defender headed in a corner kick from Tiffany Pacheco ’11 for her second tally of the young campaign.
Less than ten minutes later, Brandeis added another. Fran Shin ’12 drilled a free kick into the box and Mimi Theodore ’12 headed it home. It was Theodore’s first goal of the season and the 14th of her career.
Springfield (2-3-0) got one back early in the second, as Erica Donnelly ’11 converted off a corner less than four minutes in. However, the Judges managed not only to hold but to build upon the lead as Sofia Vallone ’11 scored her third goal of the season in the 65th minute.
Vallone’s goal proved the final marker a game in which Brandeis outshot its opponent by a 19-12 margin.
Three days later, the Judges showed their ability to win on the road, defeating Bridgewater State 2-1. Out route to outshooting Bridgewater State 30-11, Brandeis put up 16 shots in the first half,
including a breakaway score by Ellie Einhorn ’11 in the 34th minute. Theodore fed Einhorn with a nice pass, and Einhorn converted for her first goal of the season. Pacheco tallied Brandeis’ second scoring at 54:48, delivering “a beautiful goal” from 25-yards out to give the Judges a
lead they refused to relinquish. Bridgewater (1-2) cut the lead in half with inside eight minutes to play, but was ultimately unable to push across the equalizer. Francine Kofinas ’13-playing her first 90-minute-effort of the season, made seven saves in net.
“Leah [Sax ’14] and Francine have been splitting time, but today Francine played all 90 minutes- That does not mean it will stay that way- It is who is working harder and playing well,” explained Dallamora.
The Judges returned home to battle Roger Williams Thursday. It was a battle that was decided early, as the Judges jumped out to a quick lead on route to a 6-0 shutout. Theodore scored two goals in the game’s first eleven minutes, Madeline Stein ’14 registered her first career marker just before halftime, and Pacheco, Alanna Torre ’12, and Vallone scored after intermission.
Theodore wasn’t the only Brandeis player to get on the scoresheet more than once. In addition to her goal, Pacheco added three assists. Vallone registered a goal and an assist.
“Sofia [Vallone] is a finesse player – and Tiff [Pacheco] has a rocket- They complement each other,” elaborated Dallamora.
They certainly did on Thursday.
The Judges (4-1-1) have a week off before gunning for their fourth straight win; they next play September 23 against Gordon College (5-0).
