After outshooting Case Western 17-2 in 2-1 defeat Oct. 9 at homecoming, the Brandeis women’s soccer team traveled to the Midwest, where it faced its most difficult two game stretch of the season. The Judges, eager to earn themselves a tournament berth, bolstered their resume this past weekend, knocking off ninth ranked University of Chicago 3-2 on Friday, and falling to rank 3 Washington University 2-1 on Sunday. The Judges returned home on Wednesday, defeating Bridgewater State University 2-1. The Judges are now 7-4-2, and 1-3 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play.
Friday October 15: No. 22 Brandeis 3 – No. 9 Chicago 2:
Midfielders Caroline Swan ’23 and Daria Bakhtiari ’22 each scored in the second as the Judges came back from down 2-1 to hand the Maroons their first loss of the season.
Even at 2-2 in the 76th minute, sophomore forward Yasla Ngoma ’24 received a pass from the left side of the field and passed it to Bakhtiari just outside the 18-yard box. Bakhtiari proceeded to rifle a shot just above the outstretched arms of the Chicago goalkeeper to give the Judges a 3-2 lead. The Judges maintained their lead in the remaining quarter of an hour, despite a valiant effort from the Maroons as six of Chicago’s 18 shots came in the final 14 minutes. Brandeis goalkeeper Hannah Bassan ’25 made a fantastic save in the final moments of the match to seal the deal.
Senior forward Juliette Carreiro ’22 opened the scoring in the eighth minute, chipping a ball over the goalkeeper from inside the 18-yard box. Chicago scored the next two goals of the match, one in the 32nd minute and the other coming in the 56th minute to take a 2-1 lead.
The Judges responded immediately, scoring 81 seconds later to tie the score 2-2. Carreiro played a ball from the left to the top of the 18-yard box to Swan. Swan beat the keeper, chipping a shot that just snuck under the crossbar for her first goal of the season.
Prior to Friday’s match, the Maroons conceded only four goals all season. For Bakhtiari, the goal was her fifth of the season and 17th in her career. Ngoma picked up her second assist of the year, while Carreiro’s assist was her sixth of the campaign.
Sunday October 17: No. 3 Wash-U 2 – No. 22 Brandeis 1:
Down 2-0 late in the second half, sophomore Lenhart ‘’24 scored a goal, but it was not enough as the Judges fell to no. 3 Wash U.
After a scoreless first half, the Bears opened the scoring in the 66th minute on a corner. Eight minutes later, the Bears doubled their lead on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. The Judges answered six minutes later. Ngoma headed a pass to Lenhart who blasted in her third goal of the season. The Judges had several attempts to even the match in the final 10 minutes, but shots from Carreiro and Makenna Hunt ’22 both missed high.
For the Judges, the match was their fourth consecutive against a nationally ranked opponent. Bassan tied her career-high with eight saves.
Wednesday October 20: Brandeis 2 – Bridgewater St. 1:
Daria Bakhtiari scored a penalty and midfielder Morgan Clark ’23 scored the game-winner as the Judges held on to beat the visiting Bears in the return to Gordon field.
Bridgewater State tied the match 1-1 following a fantastic shot from distance in the 71st minute. Less than a minute later, Carreiro sent in a cross from the left side finding Clark near the top of the 18-yard box. Clark took a dribble and placed a shot that bounced off the right goal post into the net.
Though scoreless in the first half, both teams had several fantastic opportunities. Bridgewater State had a shot bounce off the crossbar. Brandeis had one-on-ones with the goalkeeper but couldn’t convert. The Judges opened the scoring in the 55th minute, after Carreiro was fouled inside the 18-yard box. Bakhtiari perfectly executed the penalty for her sixth goal of the season, placing it in the lower right corner of the goal.
The Judges had multiple chances to extend their lead following Clark’s goal, but the goalkeeper for Bridgewater State made several outstanding saves to keep the match at 2-1. The goal for Clark was her first this season, and second of her career. Carreiro added to her team-lead with her seventh assist.
The Judges will play two more non-conference matches before their final three matches in UAA play. The next home game at Gordon field will be Friday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m. against Emory.
