AMHERST, Mass. – Sara Isaacson scored two minutes into overtime to lift the Brandeis University women's soccer team to a 2-1 triumph over Union College in NCAA first-round action Saturday at Hitchcock Field.
The Judges (14-4-2) advance to face Lasell College in second-round play Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Union ends its season at 15-4-0.
Just three minutes into the contest, Brandeis snuck in a goal when Haley Schachter tapped in a rebound from the left side following a missed shot from Sapir Edalati.
Union settled in and dominated possession for much of the first half, eventually finding the equalizer in the 25th minute. Melissa Scinto sent a well-placed corner to the left post and Jennifer Mansfield was there to finish, evening the score at 1-1.
The Dutchwomen continued to keep the ball in the Brandeis half but could not pull ahead before the break despite taking a 9-5 edge in shots into intermission.
Brandeis came out stronger in the second half, with back-and-forth play leading to few early opportunities for either squad. Union had a strong look in the 55th when a collision in the box left an open net for Molly Gilchrist, who got a foot on it in the melee but saw her attempt foiled when the Brandeis defense flew in to clear just before the trickling shot could cross the line. Five minutes later, the Dutchwomen knocked again off a corner, but Gilchrist's hard shot from the right side flew just high.
With both teams fighting for advantage late, Brandeis found a strong look in the 88th minute when Dara Spital blasted a long try from the left, but a diving save from Kayla Marti kept the score knotted, sending the teams into overtime.
With Brandeis generating good looks to start the extra period, it was a highlight-reel shot that won it for the Judges. Collecting a bouncing ball nearly 20 yards out on the left side, Sara Isaacson sent a marvelous arcing blast over the leaping arms of Marti and into the netting, sending the Brandeis bench into jubilation just two minutes into overtime.
Lasell advanced by defeating host Amherst, 3-1, in the day's first match. Brandeis already owns a 3-1 victory over the Lasers this season when the teams met Oct. 23.
