Women's soccer sees seven-game unbeaten streak snapped by Tufts, 3-1

WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University women's soccer team saw its seven-match unbeaten streak come to an end today as the Judges fell to visiting Tufts University, 3-1, on Gordon Field. With the win, Tufts won its third straight.

Tufts (3-2-2) opened the scoring in the 13th minute when rookie Fanna Gamal (Albany, Calif.) tallied her second goal of the season. Junior midfielder Martha Furtek (East Falmouth, Mass.) sent a ball towards the net in the midst of a scrum that got deflected onto Gamal's foot and she easily slotted it home.

Brandeis (6-3-1) answered less than five minutes later. Deep in the Jumbo zone, rookie midfielder Melissa Gornekoff (Woodbury, N.Y.) sent a beautiful cross from just outside the box onto the head of junior midfielder Sarah Jasak (Middletown, N.J.). Jasak knocked it inside the far post for her fourth goal of the season. Brandeis had a chance to take the lead in the 21st minute, but senior Lisa Kaplin (Armonk, N.Y.) was denied on a one-on-one with Tufts senior netminder Annie Ross (Newton, Mass.). Ross came off her line and slowed Kaplin down just enough for a Tufts defender to clear the ensuing shot.

The Jumbos scored the game-winner in the 24th minute, taking advantage of a Brandeis defensive breakdown. Senior midfielder Kim Harrington (Helena, Mont.) came away with the ball amid the chaos and found junior forward Lauren Fedore (East Lansing, Mich.), who converted her third goal of the season. Fedore added an insurance goal in the 65th minute, with Gamal getting the assist, as the Jumbos dominated play in the second half.

For Tufts, Ross made five saves, four in the first half, for the victory. Brandeis junior Betsey Medow (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) had three stops in the losing effort.

Brandeis is next in action with a University Athletic Association (UAA) contest at the University of Rochester at 5:00 p.m on Saturday, while Tufts is at Bowdoin for a NESCAC contest at noon the same day.