Waltham, Mass.— In a matchup of nationally ranked programs by D3Soccer.com, the Brandeis University women's soccer team (No. 18) scored early and late to defeat No. 24 Wheaton College, 2-0. The Judges handed the Lyons their first loss of the season, in the first meeting between the two teams since 1995.
The Judges are now 6-0, their best start to a season since 2004, when they were 8-0. Wheaton falls to 5-1.
In the 7th minute, senior Alec Spivack (Miami, Fla./ Miami Palmetto) delivered a beautiful forward pass for senior Holly Szafran (Homewood, Ala./ Newton North), who found the left corner of the net for her third goal of the year. It was the first goal allowed by the Lyons in four games.
The Judges sealed the game in the 88th minute on a sensational goal from sophomore Haliana Burhans (Charlotte, Vt./ Champlain Valley Union). After a defensive stop, Burhans outran the Wheaton defense for the ball, finding herself in front of everyone 25 yards from the goal. She then dribbled in from the left side towards the center, eluded the goalkeeper, and deposited the ball into the wide open net. It was Burhans's second goal of the year.
Junior goalkeeper Alexis Grossman (Syosset, N.Y./ Syosset) recorded a season-high four saves for her second shutout of the season. Lyons goalkeeper Leann Wolf had nine stops.
The Judges outshot the Lyons, 23-9, including 11-4 in shots on goal.
Brandeis returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 19, at Lesley University.
-Emmett Greenberg '16