GENEVA, N.Y. (info taken from a William Smith release)-- The 11th-ranked Brandeis University women's soccer team saw its 2015 season come to a close today as the Judges fell to host and 3rd-ranked William Smith College, 1-0, in overtime in the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. With the loss, the Judges' season comes to a close with a 15-3-4 record. The Herons improve to 19-1-1 and meet #6 Williams College tomorrow with a berth in the Final Four on the line.
The game-winning goal was scored by WSC junior Kara Shue (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.) 2:26 into overtime and gave the Herons their 16th straight victory.
Shue's game-winning goal came off an assist from senior Krista Longo (Villa Walsh Academy/Morristown, N.J.). After a deep offensive zone throw in by junior Ella McMackin (Walpole/Walpole, Mass.), the ball eventually came to Longo, who tapped it to Shue. She was then able to clinch the win for the Herons with her eighth goal of the year.
One of Brandeis' best scoring chances of the game came just 11:53 into the match. Junior forward Lea McDaniel (Phoenix, Ariz./Chapparal) broke through for a one-on-one with Heron first-year keeper Veronica Romines (Torrey Pines/San Diego, Calif.). However, Romines stepped up to deny the chance.
The Judges also had a few chances late in the second half. In the 83rd minute, sophomore Samantha Schwartz (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) blasted a shot that was blocked by Heron junior defender Bridget Westerman (Kellenberg Memorial/Massapequa, N.Y.). Seconds later a shot by McDaniel sailed wide. Brandeis then earned a corner in the 84th minute, but the Judges were unable to make anything come of it.
It was the Herons turn to have a flurry of chances in the final minute of regulation. Shots from inside the box by Longo and sophomore Evie Manning (St. Bedes/Lytham, England) were both blocked by the Judges.
William Smith finished with an 18-11 advantage in shots and an 8-2 lead in corners. Brandeis junior Alexis Grossman (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) played all 92:26 in goal for Brandeis and made four saves, her third-highest total of the season. Grossman finished the season with the Judges' single-season record of 11 shutouts and a 0.39 goals-against average. As a team, Brandeis's 13 shutouts on the season were one shy of a single-season mark, while their 10 goals allowed and 0.44 GAA were also school record.
The Brandeis seniors graduate with a career mark of 54-19-11 with three trips to the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 this year and the Elite Eight as freshmen.
