WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis women's soccer team scored once in each half, with two of their three senior captains earning the goals, as the Judges defeated visiting Wellesley College, 2-0, in nonconference action on Gordon College tonight. With the win, Brandeis improves to 4-5 on the season, while the Blue fall to 2-6-2.
The Judges opened the scoring early with a 10th-minute goal. Following a corner kick, the ball found its way through the box to sophomore forward Madeline Stein (Mount Kisco, N.Y./Fox Lane). Stein fired a hard shot and Wellesley rookie Claire Cerda (Coral Gables, Fla./Ransom Everglades) made the initial save. Judge senior back and tri-captain Ali Maresca (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) was there to slam home the rebound at the 9:50 mark. It was her second goal of the season, the fourth of her career and her first collegiate game-winner.
Brandeis notched an insurance goal early in the second half. Rookie forward Sapir Edalati (Great Neck, N.Y./Great Neck South) made a nice run down the left side of the field. She crossed the ball through the box to senior midfielder and tri-captain Alanna Torre (Weston, Fla./American Heritage School), who sent it home at the 51:47 mark to give the Judges some breathing room. The goal was Torre's first of the season and ninth of her career. The assist was Edalati's first of the campaign and gave her a team-leading five points.
For the game, Brandeis outshot Wellesley, 24-11, putting 15 of those shots on goal. Cerda had a fine performance in net, making a career-high 13 saves. Sophomore Emily Wilson (Portland, Ore./St. Mary's Acad.) led the visitors with three shots, two on net.
Brandeis junior Francine Kofinas (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) made four saves for the Judges to earn her first complete-game shutout of the season and the sixth of her career.
Brandeis returns to action on October 1 when the Judges open University Athletic Association play against the University of Rochester at 3:30 p.m., while Wellesley faces NEWMAC foe Springfield the same day at 2:30 p.m.