BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Brandeis University women's soccer team defeated Bridgewater State University, 2-0, on Tuesday evening at Swenson pitch in a battle of regionally ranked teams.
With the win, the Judges improve to 4-2-1 on the season, while the Bears fall to 4-2-1. Brandeis was ranked fourth in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Region II Poll, which was released today, while Bridgewater was ranked fifth. The Judges hold an 11-1-1 advantage in the all-time series which dates back to 2007.
The first half saw many chances for the Judges to get on the board, but BSU freshman goalkeeper Logan Levesque (Bristol, R.I.) kept the game scoreless by turning away seven shots on goal, which included a few beautiful diving stops. Brandeis junior Sydney Lenhart (Tucson, Ariz.), senior Juliette Carreiro (Upton, Mass.), and junior Yasla Ngoma (North Plainfield, N.J.) provided the offensive pressure for the Judges with two shots on goal apiece in the first half.
The first goal of the game came in the 53rd minute as Lenhart found the back of the net through a hectic scramble inside the box following a corner kick. Lenhart battled through to eventually take her own rebound and bury it between the posts, for her fourth goal of the season.
The Judges wasted no time in getting on the board again when Ngoma took a long-crossed ball from Carreiro from outside the 18-yard mark and used a strong lefty strike to find the far-right side of the goal. The goal marked the first of the season for Ngoma.
The Bears best scoring opportunity of the day came with under one minute remaining in the game as a goal was called back due to an offsides call.
Levesque took the loss between the pipes for the Bears but was busy through all 90 minutes of the game, turning away eleven Brandeis shots on the day. The Bears also recorded one team save.
Brandeis freshman goalie Ella Thomson (Libertyville, Ill.) collected her first collegiate win and shutout with the victory, turning away just two Bridgewater shots.
The Judges outshot the Bears, 23-3, and held a clear advantage in corner kicks, 7-0.
Bridgewater is set to host MASCAC opponent Framingham State this Saturday, September 24th, at 11:00 AM. Brandeis will entertain Roger Williams next Thursday, September 22nd, at 7:00 PM.