BABSON PARK, Mass. (courtesy Babson sports info) —Sophomore Noah Parker (Hampden, Maine) converted a penalty kick with 2:18 remaining in the second overtime to lift Babson College to a 1-0 win over Brandeis University in non-conference men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon at Hartwell-Rogers Field.
With the win, Babson is now 2-2-0 on the year, while Brandeis suffered its first loss to slip to 3-1-0. The Judges were ranked #2 nationally in Division III by D3soccer.com and #9 by the NSCAA.
Beavers' first-year Chris Czarnecki (Baltimore, Md.) fought off a defender on the right flank and sent in a cross that bounced through the box towards Parker, who's attempt on goal hit off the arm of a Brandeis defender, resulting in a penalty kick. Parker calmly stepped up and buried the spot kick to give the Green and White its first win over the Judges since 2011.
Babson junior goalkeeper James Takami (Kenmore, Wash.), who recorded his first career shutout, had five saves on the afternoon. His counterpart, Judges' junior Ben Woodhouse (Suffield, Conn./Suffield), turned away six shots in a losing effort. The Beavers finished with a 19-15 edge in shots (6-5 on goal), and a 12-8 advantage in corner kicks.
Both teams had quality scoring chances during 90 minutes of regulation. Takami made a pair of diving saves in the first half, while seniorAdam Villari's (Landsdale, Pa.) curling ball from the edge of the 18-yard box went just wide of the right post for the Green and White in the 29th minute. Takami also came charging off his line to get a piece of Brandeis sophomore Andrew Allen's (Norfolk, Mass./King Phillip Regional) shot on a breakaway in the 62nd minute.
The best scoring opportunity prior to Parker's game winner in the overtime periods came in the 96th when Woodhouse tipped Babson junior Ian Fromhein's (Osterville, Mass.) header over the crossbar.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as Brandeis heads to WPI while Babson travels to Fitchburg State for its first road game of the year.
GAME NOTES
- This was the 64th meeting between Brandeis and Babson, dating back to 1955. The Judges see a four-game winning streak in the series snapped
- Five of the last seven games between the sides have gone to double overtime, and six have been decided by a single goal.
- Brandeis had won its last 12 games decided by a 1-0 score.
- It was the Judges' first loss to a New England team in the regular season since Sept. 21, 2013. Their only defeats in that span of 70 games came against opponents in the NCAA tournament, in the University Athletic Association, and Trinity (Texas).