WELLESLEY, Mass. (courtesy Wellesley College) -- Visiting Brandeis University scored a pair of goals in the first half to earn a 2-0 non-conference victory over Wellesley College on a soggy Tuesday afternoon at the Wellesley Fields Complex. 

The Judges, ranked No. 12 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III National Poll, improved their record to 7-0-0 and 3-0-0 away from home with the victory. Wellesley has now lost three straight and drops to 3-5-0 on the season. The Judges are 7-0 for the third time in the last four years and are one of eight remaining unbeaten and untied teams in Division III women's soccer action.

Senior Julia Matson (Rockland, Mass./Rockland) scored the game's first goal, and the eventual game-winner, in the 18th minute, when she jumped through the rain and connected on a header after classmate Sam Volpe (Groton, Mass./Groton Acad.) played a cross into the penalty area. The goal was Matson's second of the season. 

The Judges doubled their advantage later in the half, when a free kick off the foot of junior Katie Hayes (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis HS) skipped off the rain-soaked field and past Wellesley goalkeeper Olivia Reckley (Grosse Ile, Mich.) to make the score 2-0 in the 31st minute. Hayes' third of the season helped the visitors take a 2-0 lead in the break. 

Brandeis continued to apply pressure throughout the second half but failed to add another to the lead. The Judges finished with a 29-3 edge in shots and an 8-2 advantage in corner kick chances. Wellesley's best chance to score came in the 69th minute when a bid from junior Hannah Knoll (Boise, Idaho) was deflected aside by junior goalkeeper Victoria Richardson (Tolland, Conn./Tolland).

Richardson recorded the only save of the game for Brandeis in relief of starter Sierra Dana (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East). First year Rebecca Gold (Pleasant Valley, N.Y./Arlington) also played just under 20 minutes in relief for the Judges. Reckley (3-5-0) matched her season-high with nine saves for the Blue.

Wellesley will return to New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday at 1:00 PM when they host Coast Guard. Brandeis will host Case Western Reserve for Homecoming on Saturday at 1:00 PM.