WALTHAM, Mass. - Despite playing a man down for the final 15 minutes of play, the Brandeis University men's soccer team was able to earn a point in University Athletic Association play by battling the University of Chicago Maroons to a 0-0 draw on Gordon Field today.
Chicago (11-3-3, 4-1-1 UAA) carried the play in the first 45 minutes, outshooting Brandeis, 5-0. The Judges (6-9-2, 1-4-1 UAA) were able to close the gap after the first intermission, as the shots were 14-12 the rest of the way in favor of UC. Brandeis junior goalkeeper Matt Lynch (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) kept the hosts in the contest with four saves in the first half. Maroon sophomore Chris Guisto (Davie, Fla./Heritage) made five stops in the second to keep his slate clean, including a nice stop on a header off a corner by Brandeis junior back Matt Hohmann (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth)
Chicago put some pressure on Lynch late in regulation, but he came up with a pair of big saves on the Maroons' leading scorer, sophomore Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/Oletangy Liberty), including a diving save in the 84th minute that sent the ball just wide of the net.
After Chicago got the first two attempts of overtime, in the 95th minute, the Judges were put at a severe disadvantage as junior midfielder Kyle Gross (Medway, Mass./Medway) earned his second yellow card of the match. Despite playing a man down, the Judges for a pair of nice attempts shortly after that, including a blast from senior midfielder Corey Bradley (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke). Chicago pressed their advantage, controlling much of the second overtime, but Lynch knocked an attempt by junior Kenzu Manners (Hamamatsu City, Japan/Hamamatsu-Kita) wide and corralled Garrett Laird's (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) attempt on the ensuing corner kick. Brandeis's Bradley launched another rocket just over the net in the 109th minute in the game's last good chance.
Lynch earned his third shutout of the season and second in UAA play by making a career-high 11 saves. Giusto had six stops for UC for his conference-leading 10th shutout of the campaign.
Brandeis wraps up its season next weekend with their UAA finale against rival NYU at 11 a.m.