WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University senior forward Sofia Vallone of Westport, Conn., of the women's soccer team and junior forward Alexander Farr of Nahant, Mass., of the men's squad have been selected as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Offensive Players of the Week for the week ending Oct. 3.
Vallone, a co-captain, earned UAA honors for the second week in a row. She registered her first career hat trick in Brandeis's UAA opener on Oct. 2, a 5-1 victory over Case Western Reserve University. Vallone scored the game-winning goal on an assist from junior midfielder Alanna Torre of Weston, Fla., in the 21st minute, her fourth game-winner of the season. She added her second goal of the game in the 56th minute on a nice give-and-go with junior midfielder Mimi Theodore of Walpole, Mass. That goal gave Vallone her third multi-goal game in the Judges' last four contests. Theodore and Vallone also connected for the game's final goal in the 76th minute.
With the three goals, Vallone has taken over the UAA lead in goals with 11 and in points with 24. Her 11 goals match her career total entering the season, while her two assists are one short of her career mark.
Overall this season, Vallone and the Judges are 8-1-1 in head coach Denise Dallamora's 31st season on the sidelines. They are ranked second in New England and 15th in the nation on the strength of a seven-game winning streak and nine-match unbeaten string that they will take into a non-conference tilt against Tufts University Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Farr earned UAA Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career as he was involved in both Brandeis goals in a 3-2 loss to Case Western Reserve on Oct. 2. After the Judges fell behind in the 18th minute, Farr scored a game-tying goal in the 38th minute then assisted the Judges' 62nd-minute tally that cut their deficit to one. Farr is currently tied for third in goals scored in the UAA this season with five. Earlier this season, he set a Brandeis record with the sixth-fastest hat trick in NCAA Division III history. Farr scored three goals just 4:18 apart in the Judges' 13-0 win over Newbury College.
The Brandeis men's soccer team is currently 6-3 on the season, 0-1 in the UAA. After winning their first six contests, the Judges have dropped their last three headed into Wednesday afternoon's contest at Wheaton (Mass.) College.
Vallone is a 2007 graduate of Staples High School. She is the daughter of Joseph and Caryn Vallone, Westport, Conn.
Torre is a 2008 graduate of American Heritage School, Plantation, Fla. She is the daughter of Florencio and Carmen Torre, Weston, Fla.
Theodore is a 2008 graduate of Walpole High School. She is the daughter of James and Mary Theodore, Walpole, Mass.
Farr is a 2008 graduate of St. John's Prep School, Danvers, Mass. He is the son of Francis and Anne Farr, Nahant, Mass.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit us on-line at http://www.brandeisjudges.com/. Head shots and action shots are available on request.