Ranked 22nd nationally in Division III in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, the Brandeis University Women’s soccer team won their fifth game of the season at home in a non-conference match against Lesley University. Led by midfielder Daria Bakhtiari ’22, the Judges were able to edge out the Lynx by one goal, 2-1, in a rainy yet competitive game. 

In the first half, Brandeis outshot the visitors 5-0, putting two shots on goal. It wasn’t until the 59th minute, though, where senior forward Juliette Carreiro ’22 kicked the ball toward the net on the attack that slid past the Lynx goalkeeper; Bakhtiari was there and able to punch it in, scoring the team’s first of the game and her third goal of the season. Carreiro was credited with the assist. 

In the 66th minute, the Lesley Lynx gained momentum off of a Brandeis turnover, which tied the game up, 1-1. The goal was deflected into the Judges’ net by a defender, the first goal surrendered by the Judges this season after scoring three of their own. 

It was Bakhtiari’s second goal of the game that led the Judges to victory with under five minutes to play in regulation. Lauren Mastandrea ’22, another veteran on the squad, fired a shot at the Lesley goalie, which was initially saved off the crossbar. However, the ball landed in front of Bakhtiari, who swiftly touched it in over the goal line for the Judges’ second goal and Bakhtiari’s first multi-goal game of her career. Mastandrea executed her first assist of the season and Bakhtiari finished the game with two goals, resulting in a season total of four and counting and 16 for her career—a success all around.  

Overall, Brandeis outshot Lesley 16-3 and their goalkeeper, Audrey Calhoun, racked up seven saves for the game; rookie goalkeeper Hannah Bassan ’25 made one stop to earn the win. The Judges travel to Pittsburgh this weekend to face 17th-ranked Carnegie Mellon in a U.A.A. competition on Oct. 2, at 11 a.m.