Since the last men’s soccer recap article, they had not yet captured a win. However, they have since found their spark. They went on to win three-straight games in a successful effort to turn around their season.
Their first game of this recap was on the road in Poughkeepsie, NY to face the Vassar College Brewers. Junior Judge, Nico Beninda ’26 had a strong performance with his first collegiate multi-goal game while representing the white and blue. The first two goals of the game were scored by him, they were both scored during the first half. The first ball that found the back of the net was off of an assist from Aidan Chuang ’27 who drove the ball into the box, allowing Beninda ’26 a stellar opportunity to nail the ball into the Brewers’ net. The second goal came in the 41st minute and was a solo effort by Beninda ’26 as he capitalized on a Brewer turnover. The ball was placed perfectly as it soared over the Vassar goalie’s head, and just dipped under the crossbar. The Judges were only able to shut out the Brewers for so long. They unfortunately let up two goals to Vassar in the second half which tied up the game. It was not until the 79th minute that the Judges scored their third goal which sealed the deal for their 3-2 win. This goal was made by Maddox Yu ’27 who was served a perfect pass from classmate Ben Vogelman ’27. Having captured their first win of the season, this game set the Judges up to get the ball rolling on gaining more.
In the game following their win against Vassar, the Judges hosted the Bridgewater State University (BSU) Bears. The men’s soccer team won their second straight win due to their strong performance in this match. They shut out the BSU Bears 2-0, having scored a goal during each half. The first successful shot on net came in the 38th minute when Josh Andrews ’26 sent a corner kick to classmate Slater Loffredo ’26 who effortlessly headed the ball into the back of the BSU net. Especially exciting was the fact that it was also Loffredo’s first collegiate goal. Additionally, this was the only goal the Judges needed to secure their win. Their insurance goal came in the 63rd minute when Beninda ’26 finished a shot from Elan Romo ’26 that initially looked to be headed wide of the net. Thanks to Beninda’s positioning the ball easily found the back of the net. This shutout would not have been possible without Brandeis keeper Quintin Wrabley ’25 who earned his sixth career shutout after this game.
In their most recent game, the men’s soccer team hosted Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) and collected their third straight win while doing so. Despite this, the Judges were not looking like themselves during the first half of the match. They allowed a goal from ECSU and did not have any promising looks on net in response. Though, something Brandeis’ Coach Margolis said to his players must have ignited their flame because they came out of the halftime break with a newfound tenacity. Subsequently, the Judges scored the equalizing goal just 2:33 into the second half off of a shot by Chuang ’27. The Judges second goal came in the 55th minute. It was off of a pass from Beninda ’26, setting Chuang ’27 up yet again for a perfect look. The third and final goal that the Judges scored was in the 78th minute and it was assisted by none other than Chuang ’27. He fed the ball to first year Yoav Feingold ’28 who earned his first collegiate goal off of that assist.
Looking ahead, the Judges will play two games on the road this weekend. The first is against Union College in Schenectady, NY on Sept. 21, and the following game will be at Wheaton College on Sept. 24. Their next home game will be the Judges’ Homecoming game on Family Weekend. Come out to support the Judges as they celebrate Brandeis Pride!
