Women's soccer holds off Babson, 2-1

Mimi Thedore '12
Mimi Thedore '12

BABSON PARK, Mass. (courtesy Babson sports information) – Brandeis University scored two goals in the first half and then held on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory over host Babson College in a non-conference women's soccer contest at Hartwell-Rogers Field on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Judges improved to 5-6-0, while the Beavers, ranked seventh in New England by the NSCAA, saw their eight-game win streak and 10-game unbeaten streak come to an end as they fell to 9-2-1.

Brandeis opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into the game, as senior Mimi Theodore (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) gained control on the right side and fired a shot from 12 yards out into the far lower corner for her second goal of the season at 1:23. It was the first goal allowed by senior captain Lisa Wojnar (Bellaire, Texas) since September 24 – a string of nearly 184 minutes.

The Judges made it 2-0 later in the half, beginning when first-year Alex Spivack (Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto Senior) hit a corner kick into the box from the right side. Sophomore Kelly Peterson (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) then deflected it to senior Alanna Torre (Weston, Fla./American Heritage School), who ripped a shot from eight yards out inside the left post for her second goal of the fall at 15:48. Brandeis outshot the Beavers by a 10-3 margin in the first half.

Babson had two quality chances early in the second half. The first came at the 54-minute mark, when sophomore Meg Andrew's (Easton, Mass.) sailed just over the crossbar. The second came four minutes later when a shot from the left end line by junior Nichole Vargas (Warren, R.I.) off a corner kick was saved at the near post by first-year goalie Michelle Savuto (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood).

The Beavers finally broke through in the 65th minute, beginning when junior Amy Festa (Medfield, Mass.) turned the left corner and sent a cross to the far side of the box. Junior Ashley Tourso (Glen Rock, N.J.) took the ball on a bounce and blasted a shot inside the left post for her fist goal of the season at 64:38.

Babson continued to apply pressure for the remainder of regulation, with the best chance to tie coming when Andrew got a head on a corner kick from junior Kelly Hanly (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) with two minutes left to play. However, Savuto made a clean save on what would prove to be the Beavers' final attempt on net as Brandeis held on for the 2-1 win.

For Brandeis, junior keeper Francine Kofinas (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) started in net and made one save in the first half, while Savuto played the second half and turned away three shots.

The Judges return to action on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. for a University Athletic Association match at Case Western Reserve.