Senior midfielder Max Breiter ’20 scored once against Washington University (WashU) in St. Louis and twice against Springfield as the Judges won two of three games this past week. The Judges are now 9-3-4 on the year and 2-1-1 in conference play. The Judges are in sole possession of third place in the University Athletic Association (UAA), with each team having three conference games remaining.
The Judges split their two conference home games, losing 0-1 to then No. 5 University of Chicago (UC) last Friday and defeating WashU 3-0 last Sunday. The defeat to UC was the Judges’ first loss since Sept. 14, where they lost to, then, No. 1 Tufts University 0-2. The Judges traveled to Springfield for their final non-conference match this past Wednesday, winning 2-0.
In game play against the UC Phoenix’s, the Phoenix’s were able to earn a goal early in the second half of the game, scoring in the 49th minute of the match. Neither offensive side were able to go through the defensive of the other team and the rest of the game remained scoreless. UC ultimately won the match 1-0.
Breiter opened the scoring against WashU on an assist by senior back Dylan Hennessy ’20, followed by a goal by forward Will DeNight ’23, all in the first five minutes. Breiter’s two goals against Springfield tied him with DeNight for the team lead in goals with six, while Hennessy’s fourth assist of the year against WashU tied with him junior midfielder Noah Gans ’21.
Breiter’s offensive showing has been a pleasant surprise for the Judges. Breiter hasn’t been much of a goal scorer in his career, with only four career goals prior to this season including zero last season.
Similar to their game against WashU, Breiter came out strong against Springfield College, scoring two goals in less than four minutes, helping the Judges to a non-conference win on the road. His first goal was in the 22nd minute of the match, at 21:33 and the second goal was at 24:50.
Breiter’s sixth goal of the season against Springfield ties his for the Judges and UAA lead in goals.
Goalkeeper Greg Irwin ’20 made a career-high nine saves during the game, making this game his seventh shutout of the season, and 13th of his career.
After reaching the national semifinal in 2017, the Judges struggled to find their footing in 2018, going 7-9-2. The Judges have rebounded nicely this season, having equaled their goal total from a year ago. The Judges currently have a +14 goal differential, whereas it was +4 a season ago. Senior goalkeeper Irwin has been a large part of that, notching seven shutouts this season.
The Judges will travel to Emory University on Friday, Nov. 1 and then to the University of Rochester on Sunday, Nov. 3 before closing out UAA play against current second place team New York University (NYU) on Saturday, Nov. 9.
