Courtesy of UofRAtheltics.com
FAUVER STADIUM – It is practically a mantra for soccer coaches: Put the ball on goal and good things will happen.
Brandeis University did and it paid off with a 1-0 women’s soccer victory over the University of Rochester on Friday evening. The Judges, ranked #22 nationally in the latest coaches’ poll, improved to 10-1-2 overall, 2-0-1 in the University Athletic Association. Brandeis is unbeaten (10-0-2) since losing, 3-2, in its season opener at MIT. Rochester is 6-5-1 overall, 0-3 in the UAA.
The goal came five minutes into the second half. BR’s Sasha Sunday dribbled across the top of the penalty arc (right to left) and pushed a short pass about six yards farther back to Katie Hayes, coming in from the left side. Hayes hit a hard shot directly at the center of the goal. It was parried by Rochester goalkeeper Emma Campbell, but struck so firmly that it popped free and dribbled over the goal line.
Sunday nearly wrote her name into the goalscorer’s ledger 10 minutes into the second half. Haliana Burhans drove a ball over from right wing. Campbell dove to parry it but missed and the ball skipped away before Sunday could reach it.
She did figure in another scoring chance for the guests in the 77th minute. She lined a low shot at Campbell who bobbled it, then dove to cover it up as Zoe Ballas rushed in looking for the rebound, but wound up falling into the back of the net.
Rochester had some chances in both halves. In the first 4 5mintues, a long ball meant for Emily Tompkins was a little too far. Brandeis’ Julia Jaffe was able to shield her from it while goalkeeper Siera Dana came out to make the save.
Dana was challenged in a different way about a minute later. Rochester’s Meghan Martin floated a long ball over from left wing that Dana caught, just under the crossbar. With seven minutes left, Liz Mastoloni‘s corner kick was palmed away from a packed goalmouth and cleared, keeping the Yellowjackets off the scoreboard.
Campbell produced an excellent save with just under six minutes on the clock. Brandeis was awarded a penalty kick when the Yellowjackets were whistled for tripping in the box. Hannah Maatallah was designated to take it. She fired the ball for the top left corner, but Campbell dove to catch it, drawing a roar of approval from the crowd of 165.
On Sunday, Rochester will host NYU at 1:30 p.m. As the final home game of the season, it will be Senior Day. Brandeis travels to Atlanta to take on Emory University.
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