ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Brandeis University women's soccer team dropped its second-straight University Athletic Association match, 2-1, at the hands of Washington University today. The Judges, ranked 20th, fall to 10-3-1, 1-2-1 in the UAA, while the fifth-ranked Bears move to 12-1-1, 3-0-1 UAA. WashU sits atop the UAA standings, tied with No. 1 Emory, while the Judges are currently tied for fifth place with Case Western Reserve.
Washington got on the board in the first half with some nice ball movement. Becky Berels and Lilly Toaspern completed a nice give-and-go action, with cross to the far corner, where Emily Gosche was waiting to knock it home for her third goal of the season. The Bears carried the 1-0 lead into halftime, outshooting Brandeis, 11-3, in the opening 45 minutes.
Brandeis looked to sway momentum in the second half, taking two of the first three shots. The Judges finally got an equalizer in the 54th minute when junior Kelly Peterson (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) booted a free kick from nearly 40 yards out high over the leap of Bear goalkeeper Clara Jacques. It was Peterson's second goal of the season.
WashU looked to respond quickly, getting three straight shots on goal, but Brandeis sophomore Michelle Savuto (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) made the saves. The Bears broke through with the game-winning goal in the 71st minute, when Allie Betley crossed a ball to Lauren Steimle, and the reserve knocked it home for her third of the season. Washington was able to keep up its pressure on Savuto, getting the next five shots off. The Judges had one final surge late, but Jacques made the stop on Brandeis sophomore Dara Spital (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) in the final minute of play to preserve the win for the home team
For the game, Savuto made five saves, but suffered the loss, while senior Francine Kofinas (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) had two stops in the first 45 minutes. All four of Jacques' saves came in the second half for the Bears.
Brandeis next steps out of conference for two games, kicking off a four-match homestand on Thursday evening against Lesley College at 7 p.m.