Back to the Dance! Women's soccer returns to NCAAs for 3rd time in 5 years

Back to the Dance! Women's soccer returns to NCAAs for 3rd time in 5 years
Posted: Nov 10, 2014
WALTHAM, Mass. — For the third time in five years, the Brandeis University women's soccer team will be playing in the NCAA Division III tournament. The Judges, whose at-large bid to the tournament was announced in the final pairing, will face Penn State-Behrend of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. The match will take place at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa. The host Cougars play Cabrini College at 5 p.m.

(Full Bracket)

Brandeis is making its fourth NCAA tournament appearance overall, and first since 2012. The Judges posted a 12-4-2 overall record to earn their at-large berth. They went 2-3-2 in the University Athletic Association (UAA) and were one of six teams from the conference to earn bids to the tournament.

      The Judges are coached by Denise Dallamora, in her 35th season at the helm. Earlier this season, she became the 14th coach in Division III history to win 300 career games. The Judges' hallmark this season has been defense, as they have allowed just nine goals in 18 games. Senior Michelle Savuto of Ridgewood, N.J., and sophomore Alexis Grossman of Syosset, N.Y., have combined for 11 shutouts and a school-record 0.49 goals-against average.

      Offensively, Brandeis has been paced by senior Sapir Edalati of Great Neck, N.Y., and rookie Samantha Schwartz of Highland Park, Ill. With nine goals and seven assists for 25 points, Edalati finished second in the UAA in scoring. Schwartz recorded nine goals and three assists for 21 points, fifth-best in the circuit. The duo each produced five of the team's 12 game-winning goals, tied for most in the UAA.

      Penn State-Behrend (16-5-1, 7-2 AMCC) claimed their fourth-straight AMCC title on Saturday to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. The Lions scored 5:19 into overtime on a goal by Olivia Belack. Belack leads the Lions with 16 goals and 10 assists for 42 points, second in the AMCC. Goalkeeper Taylor Troyan leads the league with an 0.88 GAA.

      This will be the first-ever meeting between Brandeis and PSUB. The squads have one common opponent this season, Carnegie Mellon. The Judges dropped a 1-0 decision to the Tartans on Oct. 17, while the Lions fell by a 3-0 score on Oct. 28.