CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (courtesy MIT sports information) – Brandeis University sophomore Josh Ocel (North Attleboro, Mass./Worcester Academy) netted the match's only goal at 45:58 as the No. 4 Judges defeated MIT, 1-0, in non-conference action on Tuesday evening at Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium. With the win, the Judges improve to 11-0-0 overall, while MIT falls to 4-3-4.
Following a scoreless first half, Brandeis got on the board early in the second when Ocel followed a pass down the middle from senior Tyler Savonen (Orleans, Mass./Nauset Regional) and kicked the ball over the head of MIT senior goalkeeper Sam Cannon (Scarsdale, N.Y.) in the box for his fourth goal of the season. Brandeis tried to extend their lead roughly four minutes later as Savonen drilled a shot from outside the box that deflected off the cross bar.
MIT junior Austin Freel (San Diego, Calif.) had a chance to even the score with back-to-back shots at 55:10 and 53:32, but the first attempt was blocked, while the second was stopped by Brandeis senior goalkeeper Joe Graffy (Concord, N.H./Concord). Sophomore Alex McCullumsmith (Mountain Brooks, Ala.) also had a chance to tie the game with consecutive shots at 59:35 and 61:00, but both attempts sailed wide and high of the net. Sophomore Kareem Itani (Dallas, Texas) recorded Tech's final shot at 89:04, an attempt from five yards outside the box that sailed out of play.
Brandeis held an advantage in shots, 13-11, while MIT held an edge in corners, six to three. Cannon turned away five shots, including three attempts in the first half, and Graffy finished with three saves. Freel paced the Engineers with four shots, McCullumsmith registered two, and five players recorded one. Savonen led the Judges with three shots.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. as MIT hosts Wheaton College, while Brandeis travels to Rochester.