Since the most recent publication of The Hoot, the men’s soccer team has played five games. Their current record is 5-3-2 overall, one of those wins being an exciting University Athletic Association (UAA) win which they earned this past weekend.
After they established a three-game winning streak, the Judges moved onto their game against Union College with hopes to extend that streak. Unfortunately, that goal did not come to fruition as the game concluded in a 1-1 tie. The Union College Garnet Chargers took the lead in the 28th minute, which seemed to have set the tone for the remainder of the game. That was until the Judges scored with just over two minutes left in regulation time. This goal was the result of a perfectly placed free-kick by Rainer Osselmann-Chai ’26 that allowed Christian Godinho ’25 the ideal opportunity to capitalize. Godinho did just that as he got a head on the ball, sending it into the far netting of the Union goal. This was the first goal of his career. The game picked up in momentum following this goal. The Garnet Chargers had a good look with just over a minute left in the game, but Brandeis keeper Quintin Wrabley ’25 saved the shot for the Judges.
Once the Judges returned home from New York, they traveled to Wheaton College to face their Lyons. The first and only goal of this game was in the 48th minute, putting the Lyons up 1-0. This was unfortunately the final score of the game as the Judges were unable to find the momentum to capitalize. Though the Judges did not have a solid day offensively, Wrabley ’25 saved a season-high of ten shots. Despite this loss, the Lyons are a non-conference competitor for the Judges.
Four days later, the Judges were back in Waltham to host the long-time rival Babson Beavers. This game was especially exciting as it was the annual Homecoming Weekend game at Brandeis. Additionally, the Beavers are currently ranked #20 in Division III men’s soccer per the United Soccer Coaches, proving to be an exciting opponent for the Judges to face. In front of their largest crowd yet, the Judges fought hard but ultimately fell to the Beavers 2-0. The two goals came late into the second half, only seven minutes apart. Nico Beninda ’26 had the best day for the Judges with four shots made, 75 percent of which were on net. This was the 71st all-time meeting for the Judges. Though it resulted in a loss for Brandeis, it was still a great opportunity to get some higher level play as they embarked on their upcoming UAA in-conference games.
The Judges had a full week off between their game against Babson and their following game. This match was the first UAA game of the season for the Judges as they were facing the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Tartans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Judges scored the first goal of the game in the 18th minute as a failed clearance by the Tartans landed in the possession of Elan Romo ’26 who sliced a shot into the upper 90º of the CMU net. The Judges were up 1-0 until the 64th minute when the Tartans scored an equalizing goal. Just 11 seconds after their opponent tied the game, the Judges responded with a vengeance. Beninda ’26 wisely switched the field of play quickly after the restart, giving Eli Mones ’25 the perfect opportunity to capitalize. Mones ’25 sent the ball past the CMU keeper, scoring one of the Judges’ most exciting goals of the season thus far. After this display of ’Deis dominance, the Judges were able to successfully hold off the Tartans for the remainder of the game. They ultimately came out victorious with a winning score of 2-1 over CMU. This was exactly the momentum that the Judges needed, this win will fuel them to attack their upcoming UAA games with confidence.
In their most recent game, the Judges braved a chilly New England evening to face the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Engineers in a home game. Looking to maintain their energy from their win against CMU, the Judges scored a season-high of four goals against rival MIT. This was the Judges’ final non-conference game of the season, allowing them one more opportunity to fiddle with their play tactics before tacking up to dial in for the rest of the season. The Judges opened up scoring in the 21st minute with Dylan Marzouca ’28 scoring his first collegiate goal. This opportunity was possible thanks to a well-placed corner kick by Osselmann-Chai ’26. The Judges secured their game-winning goal just four minutes later. This shot was made by Kaden Collins ’28, another first-time collegiate scorer for the Judges. Beninda ’26 shot the following goal five minutes later, increasing the Judges’ lead to 3-1. Finally, the Judges’ final goal came in the 63rd minute when Osselmann-Chai ’26 redirected a shot from Beninda ’26. Wrabley ’25 earned the win having made six saves for the Judges.
Looking ahead, the Judges will face the Washington University Bears on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in their home UAA opener.
