ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Brandeis University sophomore transfer Dara Spital (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) notched her eighth goal of the season in the 80th minute to give the 20th-ranked Judges women's soccer team a 1-0 win over the University of Rochester Yellowjackets in the University Athletic Association opener for both teams. The win, the fourth in a row and ninth by shutout of the season, improves Brandeis to 9-1 overall, 1-0 in the UAA. Rochester falls to 2-7, 0-1 UAA.

Brandeis dominated the game statistically, outshooting Rochester, 21-4, including 11-1 in shots on goal, but it wasn't until time was winding down in regulation that they finally broke through. After UR turned the ball over trying to clear it through the penalty area, sophomore Sapir Edalati (Great Neck, N.Y./Great Neck South), flicked a header to Spital. She turned and fired a shot from about 10 yards out over the hands of 'Jacket goalie Bridget Lang at the 79:05 mark.

With the goal, Spital now has six game-winning goals on the season, accounting for two-thirds of the team's total and 75% of her goals. She was ranked second in Division III in game-winning goals this season entering the week. Spital is a transfer from Division I Central Florida. 

Lang was outstanding in net for Rochester, making 10 saves in the losing effort. Brandeis senior Francine Kofinas (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) had one stop in the first half, while sophomore Michelle Savuto (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) was untested in the second half, but earned the win, which was the Judges' first against Rochester since 2003. 

Brandeis returns to action next week looking to reach the 10-win plateau in a non-conference match at home against Babson at 7 p.m. on Thursday.