WESTFIELD, MASS. (courtesy Westfield State University) – Brandeis University senior forward Lea McDaniel (Phoenix, Arizona / Chaparral) scored a penalty kick in the 60^th minute to give the 16^th ranked Judges a 1-0 victory over Westfield State University in a non-conference women's soccer game at Alumni Field on Wednesday night.

McDaniel got the penalty kick after a handball in the box at 60:27 to gain the lead over the Owls. The game-winning goal 

The penalty kick was awarded about a minute after Westfield State's senior forward Kate Matroni (Hampden, Mass. / Minnechaug) was pushed down by a Judges' defender in the Owls' offensive penalty area, but the potential penalty kick situation went uncalled, disabling a possible scoring opportunity for Westfield.

Brandeis had a 15-2 advantage in total shots, an 11-1 edge in shots on goal and a 12-0 lead in corner kicks.

Sophomore goalkeeper Natalia Falcone (Sutton, Mass.) made ten saves for the Owls and allowed one goal in net.

Senior goalkeeper Alexis Grossman (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) made one save for the Judges and allowed no goals in net. The shutout was her eighth of the season and the 19th of her career, tied for second in Brandeis women's soccer history. 

The Owls are now 6-6-2 on the season while Brandeis improves to 13-2-1 overall. The Judges are ranked #16 in the nation by D3soccer.com and #17 by the NSCAA and second in New England in the first NCAA Regional rankings

Brandeis University will host Emory University on October 28^th at 5:00 p.m.

Westfield State will host Bridgewater State in a conference game on October 22^nd at 5:00 p.m.