WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University juniors Sapir Edalati of Great Neck, N.Y., and Joe Graffy of Concord, N.H., have been selected as University Athletic Association (UAA) Players of the Week for women’s and men’s soccer, respectively, for Sept. 10.
Edalati, a forward, was named the UAA Women’s Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career for her role in the Judges’ 3-2 overtime victory at Lasell College on Sept. 7. In a rematch of a 2012 NCAA Division III Tournament second-round game, Edalati scored twice, including the game-winner. In the 69th minute, she gave Brandeis a 2-1 lead on a nice feed from classmate Dara Spital of Miami, Fla. After the Lasers equalized less than seven minutes later, Edalati won the game just 34 seconds into overtime. A poor clearance by the home team deflected past the Lasell keeper to an unmarked Edalati, who tapped the ball home. It was her 12th career goal overall, her third game-winner and her second career multi-goal game.
Overall this season, the Judges are 3-0 and ranked No. 1 in New England and No. 12 in Division III under head coach Denise Dallamora, who is in her 34th season. The Judges take on Bridgewater State University tonight at 7 p.m. and are home against Bates College at 1 p.m. on Sept. 15.
Graffy, a goalkeeper, helped the Judges – who are ranked third in New England - to a 2-0 week last week with wins over two other regionally-ranked squads. On Sept. 4 against MIT, ranked ninth in the region, Graffy made three saves in a 2-1 overtime victory. He had one stop in each half and another early in the OT session. On Sept. 7 against Babson College, in the 61st meeting of the Judges’ longest rivalry, Graffy made a career-high seven saves and recorded his first career shutout, 1-0. Four of his seven saves came after the Judges took the lead, including three in the final 10 minutes of play. For the season, Graffy has 14 saves in four games to lead the UAA.
Overall in 2013, Brandeis is 4-0 and ranked 19th nationally under head coach Mike Coven who is in his 41st season on the sidelines. The Judges face WPI this afternoon at 4 p.m. and then head to Clark University on Sept. 14 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Edalati is a 2011 graduate of Great Neck South High School. She is the daughter of Sami and Sara Edalati, Roslyn, N.Y.
Graffy is a 2011 graduate of Concord High School. He is the son of Robert Graffy and Paula Hurley, Concord, N.H.