The men’s soccer team triumphed over Emory University and #16-ranked Rochester University in their final two home games of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 30. Both games were against United Athletic Association (UAA) conference opponents.
Against Emory, the Judges fought hard to a convincing 2-0 victory. On Sunday, they celebrated Senior Day with a 3-1 win against the Yellowjackets. After the two wins, the Judges improve to 10-4-3.
The Judges were solid throughout their game against the Emory Eagles, scoring a goal in each half. In the 26th minute, Josh Ocel ’17 kicked a corner that was headed in by Christian Hernandez ’18, the second goal of his career and his first this year. Thales Brito ’17 converted another corner by Ocel in the 76th minute for the Judges’ second goal of the day and his second of the season.
Ben Woodhouse ’18 had two saves, recording his third straight shutout and his seventh of the season. The Eagles fall to 10-4-1 with the loss.
In the final home game of the regular season, the Judges faced one of their toughest opponents yet, the Yellowjackets. The Judges came out strong with a goal in the eighth minute by Evan Jastremski ’17 off of another pass from Ocel. The Yellowjackets tied the game with six minutes left in the first half, but the Judges did not falter.
Jastremski scored again in the 54th minute off of an assist from Zach Viera ’17 to give Brandeis the lead with his second goal of the day and fourth of the season. Andrew Allen ’19 scored in the 83rd minute to solidify the victory with a shot assisted by both Ocel and Viera.
Ocel’s two assists give him 30 for his career, the third most in Brandeis history. In addition, his 56 points place him at 22nd on the all-time list. With the win, the Judges are now 3-1-2 in the UAA, and the Yellowjackets fall to 8-4-3.
The victory on Sunday was a fitting way to honor Brandeis men’s soccer’s 11 seniors. In addition to Ocel, Brito, Viera and Jastremski, the Judges also honored goalie Daniel Khudyak, goalie Ben Stein, midfielder Josh Berg, defender Tyler Graham, midfielder Jesse Caron, defender Kyle Robinson and forward Mike Lynch.
The Judges will travel to New York University for their final regular season game on Saturday, Nov. 5 in an attempt to finish the season with six straight wins. It will be a crucial game, as Brandeis hopes to keep their goal of making the national tournament alive.
