CHICAGO, Ill. -- The ninth-ranked Brandeis men's soccer team suffered its first defeat in 17 games dating back to last season tonight, falling by a 1-0 score to the host University of Chicago Maroons, 1-0, in a University Athletic Association contest. With the loss, the Judges' first since October 28, 2011, Brandeis falls to 11-1-1 overall, 1-1-1 in the UAA. Chicago improves to 7-2-3, 1-1-1 UAA.

Chicago scored the game's only goal in the 21st minute, when Kyle Kurfirst played a ball in to Jorge Bilbao, who beat Brandeis senior goalkeeper Blake Minchoff (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) to his left from just inside the 18-yard box. The goal was Bilbao's eighth of the season. The shots were even at seven apiece in the first half, but UC's David Cohen made saves on four of the five Brandeis shots on net, including back-to-back stops on senior Lee Russo (Westford, Mass./Westford Acad.) and sophomore Tyler Savonen (Orleans, Mass./Nauset Regional) in the 23rd minute shortly after the goal, while a Chicago defender cleared one off the line as well.. 

The Maroons had a tremendous opportunity to double their lead less than two minutes into the second half when one of their players was hauled down in the box earning a penalty kick. Minchoff was up to the task, however, saving the attempt from the spot with a dive to his left. Chicago got the next three shots off as well, but Cohen stoned Savonen, Russo and back Ben Applefield (Avon, Conn./Avon) in succession between the 56rd and 58th minutes. The Chicago defense settled down after that, holding Brandeis to just one shot the rest of the way. 

Minchoff finished with six saves, but suffered the loss, while Cohen earned the win with seven stops.

The Judges will be right back in action on Sunday afternoon with a UAA match at Washington University at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern)