The Brandeis women’s soccer team kicked off conference play in Cleveland in a competitive match against host Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Ranked #14 in Division III by United Soccer Coaches, CWRU topped the Judges 2-1 with all goals of the game scored in the second half, snapping the Judges six game winning streak. The following weekend, the Judges hosted Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for the 2022 Brandeis homecoming game; unfortunately, though, the Brandeis women’s soccer squad was unable to pull out the win on Gordon Field, losing their second consecutive game. The Judges’ record fell to 6-4-1 in non-conference play and 0-2-0 in UAA action. 

While both CWRU and Brandeis were scoreless in the first half, the Judges outshot the Spartans, 5-3. The first goal came in the 60th minute of the game by the Spartans who gained a second-half advantage over the Judges. Senior midfielder Caroline Swan ’23 located forward Juliette Carreiro ’23 in the 79th minute of the game to equalize the score; Carreiro chipped the ball over the charging Spartan keeper. With under seven minutes to go, the Judges were whistled for a foul from approximately 25 yards from the goal, resulting in a Spartan free kick. CWRU converted the opportunity and secured the victory, 2-1.

For the game, CWRU outshot Brandeis, 11-9, and the Spartans had a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. The loss was the first in five decisions this season for sophomore keeper Hannah Bassan ’25. Defensively, Brandeis had not allowed more than one goal in their previous six contests, dating back to their 4-3 loss to Babson. On the attack, though, Carreiro has been a consistent presence for the Judges, successfully scoring a point in the last seven contests and nine of 10 this season; her goal against CWRU was her seventh of the season, tying her total for 2021, when she earned All-American honors. Carreiro now ranks in a tie for 14th in career goals at Brandeis with 23 and 13th in total points with 65. Swan is also moving up the leaderboard, as she is now tied for 12th on the all-time assist list at Brandeis; her fourth assist of the season became the 15th dime of her career. 

Following the defeat in Cleveland, the Judges returned to Gordon Field to compete in the Brandeis homecoming game. While it was a defensive battle, the decision fell in the Tartans’ favor. In the first half, Carnegie Mellon led in shots taken 5-3; and, in the second half, the Tartans remained on the attack, outshooting Brandeis seven shots to two. The Tartans held the advantage in nearly every category—12 to 5 in shots taken and 6 to 0 in shots on goal; additionally, Carnegie Mellon held the advantage in corner kicks, 5 to 4. Brandeis keeper Bassan did her best, effectively saving five shots on goal throughout the game, but the Judges did not have many opportunities to tie things up. The Tartans’ lone goal in the 28th minute was the only goal of the game. 

The Judges travel to the University of Rochester this weekend, looking to snap their two-game losing streak and pick up their first win in the UAA. Good luck, Judges!