Waltham, MA -- The Brandeis University men's soccer team cut into a 3-1 deficit with a late goal, but could not pull any closer as they suffered their first defeat of the 2022 season, 3-2, to WPI.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 1-1-1; WPI, 1-0-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The contest began with a frantic pace with the Crimson and Gray opening the scoring in the sixth minute.  Aaron Vaz had a shot blocked before Francesco Valagussa pounced on the rebound for his first goal of the season.  Vaz was credited with the assist on the play. 
• Just over seven minutes later the guests struck again on a Judges own goal following a free kick by WPI's Luke Savoie that was headed in by a Brandeis in the 11th minute. 
• The Judges pulled one back just three minutes before intermission as Isaac Mukala (Malden, Mass./ Lawrence Academy) headed home a free kick deep in the WPI zone by Rainer Osselmann-Chai (Acton, Mass./Acton Boxborough Regional) at 42:03 to cut the deficit to 2-1.
• The Engineers Matthew Biando pushed the advantage to a pair of goals again when he notched his first of 2022 when he took a quick free kick from Savoie at 55:22 and slid it inside the near post from 30 yards out. 
• The Judges answered back with about 15 minutes remaining on a Nico Beninda (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) marker assisted by Elan Romo (Weston, Fla. / Cypress Bay) at 74:53. 
• Brandeis mustered four corner kicks the rest of the way, including the final one in the waning seconds but were denied the equalizer each time.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Roe Hendrick earned the win in net for the Engineers, repelling three shots while
• Brandeis senior captain Aiden Guthro (Newburyport, Mass./Newburyport) made six stops for the homestanding Judges.
• WPI held a 15-11 edge in shot.
• Brandeis attempted eight of match's 10 corner kicks.

 UP NEXT

• Brandeis closes out a three-game homestand Saturday with a 1:30pm match versus longtime local rival Babson. 
• The Engineers head to Endicott for a noon kickoff on Saturday before traveling to Rhode Island Sunday for a 2:30pm start. 

-- information taken from a WPI press release