This week, the Brandeis University women’s soccer team improved to 4-2 on the season, as they battled two Massachusetts rivals. The Judges found great success, winning their fourth straight game, 3-1, over Babson College. However, on Tuesday evening, though the Judges fought hard, they lost to Tufts University, 2-0.
Saturday’s matchup against rival Babson College was an exciting game, as the players hit the ground running, scoring the first three goals in six minutes. After gaining possession of a 50-50 ball, Makenna Hunt ’22 connected with the goal in the 21st minute, giving the Judges a one-goal advantage over the Beavers. Nearly two minutes later, Hunt rebounded a high shot, which ricocheted off the crossbar, exposing the Babson goalkeeper, who was out of position playing the initial shot. Hunt capitalized, sinking her second goal of the game, and her fourth goal of the season. Hunt’s second goal gave the Judges their fourth-straight game with a multiple-goal scorer.
“Babson is one of our rivals,” said Hunt to The Brandeis Hoot, “so we went into the game with a lot of energy, and I think we showed that the whole 90 minutes. Both of the goals were a full team effort—the first I scored off of a cross, and the second was off of a rebound from a shot from one of my teammates. Everyone on the field knew what her job was and got it done; that’s what led to our success.”
In the 27th minute, Olivia West netted Babson’s first goal—her third of the season—making it a one-goal game. The game was a physical battle, and in the 68th minute, midfielder Daria Bakhtiari ’21 reestablished Brandeis’ two-goal lead over Babson. Bakhtiari’s high shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box soared through the air, right under the crossbar, marking her first goal of the season and her seventh of her career. Brandeis goalkeeper, Victoria Richardson ’20, had three stops in this game, which was crucial to the team’s success; the Judges defeated the Babson Beavers for the eighth-straight time.
In the Tuesday night matchup against Tufts University, the Jumbos outshot the Judges 18-11. Although Victoria Richardson ’20 played her heart out in the goal, as she made a career-high seven saves in the losing effort, it was not enough to keep the winning streak alive. However, Richardson was recognized as University Athletic Association’s (UAA) Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 17. In the last week, Richardson helped extend the Judges’ winning streak to four in a row. In addition, she achieved her first shutout performance on Sept.10, with two saves against Clark University on the road. Richardson had three saves in Brandeis’ win over Babson; her season total of saves ranks third in the University Athletic Association and her .778 save percentage is tied for fourth in the conference. Since Richardson was named UAA Player of the Week, she has increased her save total this season to 21.
Although the Judges are coming off of a hard fought loss, they are ready to take on their next opponent, away at nearby Lasell University in Auburndale, MA on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m.
