In the last two weeks, the Brandeis men’s soccer team finished with two ties and two wins, leading up to conference play. The Judges came to a draw with both Western New England University and Wheaton College, but were able to get back on the winning side, coming out on top of Mitchell College with a score of 3-0, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2-0.
Last week the Judges traveled to Western New England University where they tied the Golden Bears 2-2. The home team was the first to score in the 10th minute when Chris Manousos was able to connect with the net on a penalty kick. Just 10 minutes later, the Judges were able to equalize in the 20th minute when Michael Burch ’22 connected a through ball to classmate Jared Panson ’22, who found the net, scoring his second goal of the season.
Brandeis quickly went on to take the lead less than two minutes after their first goal when rookie Adam Kulick ’23 recovered Panson’s rebound and find the back of the net, giving him his first collegiate goal. The Judges closed out the first half 2-1, but in the second half Charlie Argyle got his head on a free kick from Connor Prindle for the Golden Bears, tying the score at 2-2. In overtime Brandeis and Western New England each connected with the net, but both goals were called off, the Golden Bears for a hand ball and the Judges for offsides.
Overall, the Judges outshot the Golden Bears 16-14, while each had seven on goal. Senior goalkeeper Greg Irwin ’20 also made five stops for Brandeis. Irwin’s performance led him to be UAA’s men’s defensive player of the week.
Then on Tuesday the men’s soccer team was on the road again to play Wheaton College. The Judges battled the Lyons into double overtime, but were unable to secure the win and tied 0-0. This gave the Judges their third tie of the season and their second tie in a row, after coming to a draw with Western New England.
Despite the Judges outshooting Wheaton 20-18, they were unable to get one past Wheaton’s goalie, Diego Medina. Greg Irwin also performed well for the Judges making six saves, just one short of a career high. With less than two minutes left in the game the Judges were able to put one in the net, but the goal was called off for being offsides.
Finally, the Judges were able to end their losing streak when they traveled to Mitchell College on Saturday. They beat the Mariners 3-0, giving them their fourth win of the season. The Judges scored all three of their goals within the 15 to 30 minute mark.
At the 16 minute mark, Dylan Hennessy ’19 scored the first goal for Brandeis on a free kick. Then just a short five minutes later Panson sent a corner kick into the box and Max Breiter ’19 was able to get his head on the ball and send it into the net. Finally, freshman Will DeNight ’23 closed out the scoring in the 31st minute, giving the Judges the 3-0 win.
Overall, the Judges outshot the Mariners 20-2, allowing only one shot on goal for Mitchell. Irwin only had to make one save to secure his third shutout of the season.
The Judges returned to Gordon Field on Tuesday where they faced Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at home. Brandeis gave MIT their first loss of the season, beating the Engineers 2-0. DeNight was the star of the game for the Judges, scoring both of the teams’ goals. With these two goals, DeNight now leads the UAA. Jake Davis ’22 gave DeNight the assist in the 33rd minute of play, and DeNight sent the ball into the back of the net. DeNight then added his second goal of the night in the 72nd minute.
Brandeis outshot MIT 22-10 and had 10 shots on goal, and Irwin played his part in the win with three saves. This gave Irwin his third shutout in a row and his fourth of the season.
Brandeis moves on to 5-2-3 for the season as they move into conference play this weekend, where they will face Carnegie Mellon University.
