This past Saturday, the men’s soccer team closed out their 2024 season in exciting fashion as they beat the opposing New York University (NYU) Violets. After this University Athletic Association (UAA) Conference win, the Judges earned second place honors for their 5-2-0 conference record for the season. Additionally, as this was the Judges’ final game of the season on home turf, the graduating seniors were also celebrated as this was their final game ever representing the white and blue in Waltham. 

This game got off to an exceptionally slow start as neither the Violets nor the Judges were able to find the back of each other’s nets. Though the first half was scoreless, the Judges out-shot the Violets 8-5 with two of those shots being on net. The Violets had a higher shot accuracy with three of their five shots being on net, yet that did not stop the Judges’ from fighting for the win. 

After the half, there was no notable shift in play for either team. Play continued to be back-and-forth until the 63rd minute when the Judges earned themselves a corner kick. Rainer Osselmann-Chai ’26 sent the perfectly-placed corner kick into the NYU box, allowing Kaden Collins ’28 to head the ball into the back of the Violets’ net. This was Collins’ second goal ever as a Judge. 

Despite being scored on, the Violets did not let off the gas as they made five more shots on the Brandeis net in search of an equalizing goal. Lucky for the Judges, the Violets did not meet with success on this endeavor. Thanks to senior Quintin Wrabley’s ’25 prowess in the net, all of the shots were stopped with ease, earning the Judges the win. This was the eighth shutout game of his career and fourth of the 2024 season. 

This was an exciting way to celebrate the end of the nine seniors’ soccer careers. Those nine were keeper Quintin Wrabley ’25, back Ethan Wool-Lewis ’25, back Christian Godinho ’25, midfielder Toby Marwell ’25, forward Gabe Haithcock ’25, midfielder Yannick Rihs ’25, midfielder Rafa Pedro ’25, back Andres Gonzalez ’25 and forward Eli Mones ’25. 

Though the Judges are losing a hefty squad of seniors, their team possesses great potential for the coming years as they have a large roster with many talented players that will soon fill the seniors’ shoes, or should I say boots. Hats off to the Judges for a great season and earning second place in the UAA, just one point behind the Emory University Eagles!