In his second collegiate start, midfielder Tyler Savonen ’15 scored two goals, leading the Judges in a 3-0 win against local rival Lasell College in a non-conference matchup. With the win the Judges improve to 10-4-1, their second straight season with at least 10 wins, while the Lasers fall to 9-5-3.
Forward Alexander Farr ’12 gave the Judges an early start in the 27th minute of play when midfielder Sam Ocel ’13 executed a beautiful pass to Farr down the left side of the field. Farr then one-touched the ball directly past charging rookie Lasell goalie Aren Moorman into the right side of the net. The goal was Farr’s fourth of the season and his first winning goal of the season. With his goal, Farr moved into 21st place on the Judges all-time scoring list with 48 points and 16th place with 22 goals. Farr only needs one more goal to become the 20th player in Judges history to score 50 career points. Brandeis outshot the Lasers, 12-5, in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Savonen shined in the second half, scoring both of his goals. Savonen is now tied for the team lead with six goals and leads the team in scoring with 16 points. Savonen’s first goal came at the 53:41 mark off of assists from Ocel and midfielder Theo Harris ’12. Ocel started the play by sending the ball to the corner, where a waiting Harris then crossed it through the box to Savonen. Savonen then headed it past the new Lasell goalie, rookie Alex Serrazina, to put the Judges ahead 2-0. With his two assists, Ocel is now tied for the team lead with six. Savonen scored his second goal at the 62:06 mark off of a corner kick. Savonen’s corner kick deflected to him outside the box and he chipped the ball back into the net past the Laser’s goalie for the final goal of the game.
The Judges thoroughly dominated Lasell throughout the entire match outshooting the Lasers 20-1 in the second half and 32-6 for the game. The Judges put 14 of those 32 shots on goal while the Lasers were only able to put one on net. Moorman made three saves against one goal allowed during the first half while Serrazina had six stops against two goals allowed in the second half. Lasell also had two defenders clear the box. Brandeis goalie Blake Minchoff ’13 only had to make one save on the way to his ninth shutout of the season. Minchoff only needs one more shutout to lead the Judges to just their fourth season with 10 shutouts in program history.
When asked about the difference in starting a game and coming off the bench, Savonen responded, “I prepare the same way whether I come off the bench or start. Obviously I’ve been coming off the bench most of the time but I have to be prepared to start.” Savonen continued, “I’ve had an awesome rookie year. The team is filled with great guys and, with three games left, hopefully we can make NCAAs.”
When requested to comment on Minchoff’s play, Savonen said, “[I] love Minchoff. I feel safe with him in [the] net, knowing that, if it comes down to it, he’s going to make the save and keep us in the game.”
Brandeis returns to conference action Friday at 5 p.m. when they visit Emory College.