The Brandeis women’s soccer team hit the road for contests against Simmons and Wellesley colleges this week.
After pitching a pair of shutouts, the Judges, undefeated since a loss to MIT in the season opener, are now 7-1-1 on the season.
Brandeis, ranked 18th in the National College Soccer Coaches Association of America’s most recent Division III poll, was judged second best in New England.
It is the first time the team has earned a national ranking since the 2004 season.
Against Simmons (4-5-1) on Sunday, the Judges scored early and often on route to a 5-0 victory.
A total of four goals were scored in the game’s first six minutes of play, including a pair of unassisted goals from University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week, Sofia Vallone ’11.
Vallone potted the game’s first marker at 2:13. She collected an assist just 1:46 later as Mimi Theodores ‘12 headed in a rebound off the crossbar and a save from the Simmons keeper for her fourth tally of the season.
The first-half flurry continued as Tiffany Pacheco ’11 and Vallone scored eight seconds apart at the end of the sixth minute.
Rookie Annie Teece ’14 wrapped up the scoring with a shot off a corner kick–good for her first career goal–with 6:32 to play before intermission.
It was Vallone’s second straight contest with a two goal output, the third multi-goal game of her career. She leads all UAA scorers with eight goals this season.
Three days later, the Judges bested Wellesley (4-4-1) in a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
First-year Hilary Andrews’ 37th minute score proved the game’s only offense.
Her original shot, off a long pass from Ellie Einhorn ’11, was stopped by Wellesley keeper Sarah Gray ’12, but the rebound found the back of the net for Andrews’ second goal of the season.
Francine Kofinas ’13 made eight saves in net–including a critical three stops at the start of the second half–to record the first solo shutout of her Brandeis career. For the game, the Judges outshot Wellesley 13-9.
Brandeis looks to stretch the streak to seven on Saturday, as the Judges open conference play with a home match against Case Western Reserve University (6-2-1).
In last season’s only meeting between the teams, Case defeated the Judges, 1-0.
