ST. LOUIS, Mo. (info taken from a Washington University press release) -- The ninth-ranked Brandeis University men's soccer team used a pair of goals in a span of just over five minutes today to pick up a key 2-1 University Athletic Association (UAA) road win over the Washington University Bears today. With the win, the Judges improve to 12-1-1, 2-1-1 in the UAA, and sit in a four-way tie for the Association lead with the three teams remaining on their schedule.
Brandeis outshot WashU, 13-2, in the first half, when they were playing with the wind at their backs, but neither team was able to put a shot in the back of the net. The Judges had a number of fine opportunities, including two from senior Sam Ocel (No. Attleboro, Mass./No. Attleboro) that were saved by Bear junior Jonathan Jebson, and a struck post by junior Tudor Livadaro (Bronx, N.Y./Riverdale-Kingswood Acad.) in the 36th minute.
While Washington had the win in the second half and went on to outshot Brandeis, 5-4, it was the Judges who scored the first two goals. In the 58th minute, Ocel sent home a fine flick on from junior Kyle Feather (Pinebrook, N.J./Montville Township). The goal was Ocel's sixth of the season and made him the 22nd player in school history to reach the 50-point mark for his career.
Just 5:03 later, it was senior Lee Russo (Westford, Mass./Westford Acad.) who buried the game-winner, camping out on the far post to knock home a cross from sophomore forward Tyler Savonen (Orleans, Mass./Nauset Regional). The goal was Russo's 10th of the season and gave him two career milestones: his 30th career goal (ninth all-time) and his 75th career points (11th all-time).
The Bears spoiled Brandeis senior Blake Minchoff's (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) bid with 1:39 to play in regulation. Junior Jeremy Kirkwood headed home a perfectly placed free kick taken from near midfield by sophomore Nik Patel to make it 2-1. The goal for Kirkwood was his second in three games played since returning from an injury.
Minchoff finished with two saves for the Judges, while Jebson had four stops for the Bears.
Brandeis, who defeated Washington University for the first time since 2002, returns to non-conference action on Wednesday evening when they host Springfield College at 7 p.m.