Vieira OT goal lifts men's soccer past WNEU to NCAA second round

BRANDEIS MEN'S SOCCER ADVANCES TO NCAA TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND, 2-1, IN OVERTIME

WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Brandeis University men's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fifth consecutive year as the Judges got a goal from senior Zach Vieira (Andover, Mass./Brooks School) 3:52 into overtime to defeat Western New England University, 2-1. With the win, the Judges improve to 11-5-3, while the Golden Bears end their season at 11-10-1. Brandeis will face off against St. Joseph's (Maine), who advanced past host Babson on penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams were scoreless through the first half despite the Judges outshooting the Golden Bears, 12-1.
• Brandeis finally broke through in the 68^th minute. Senior Josh Ocel (North Attleboro, Mass./Worcester Acad.) took a free kick from deep in the offensive zone. It went through the box, where sophomore back Stephen DePietto (Westbury, N.Y. / Berkshire School) got his head on the ball and redirected it home. The goal was the first of his career, while Ocel's assist was his 12^th of the campaign.
• Brandeis junior goalkeeper Ben Woodhouse (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) made a spectacular save in the 82^nd minute, punching away a header ticketed for the upper 90.
• WNEU was able to notch an equalizer with just 3:22 left in regulation, when Maurice Young  blasted a shot just inside the left post. Assists went to Connor Rubin and Alan Haberern.
• After getting to the overtime session, the Judges ended it 3:52 into the extra session. Ocel sent a terrific through ball to Vieira, who worked around a defender and deposited his second goal of the season and the 14^th of his career. It was his fifth career game-winner and second in overtime.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Judges outshot Western New England, 25-10, for the game, including 10-4 in shots on goal.
• Kevin Strobel made eight saves in the losing effort for WNEU, while Woodhouse finished with three stops for Brandeis.
• Brandeis also owned a 12-1 edge in corner kicks.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• This was Brandeis's school-record ninth overtime game of the season, and they improved to 2-4-3 in those games.
• WNEU fell to 1-2-1 in extra time.
• With two assists on the season, Ocel now has 13, three shy of the school single-season record. He now has 32 helpers for his career, third on the Judges' all-time list.
• Brandeis has won both all-time meetings with WNEU, with the last coming in the 2010 ECAC Division III New England tournament.

UP NEXT

• Brandeis will face St. Joseph's (Maine) for the first time tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. for a chance to make the Sweet 16 for the fifth year in a row.