CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Brandeis University women's soccer team opened their season with an inauspicious result this afternoon, dropping a 4-0 decision against nationally-ranked foe MIT on the road in the first contest of the campaign for both teams.
The 4-0 result was the most lopsided in the series since Brandeis won by the same score in 2008. MIT had only scored four goals against the Judges once before, in a 4-1 victory in 2001. Brandeis had won three of the previous four meetings between the two teams and six of the last eight.
MIT wasted little time getting on the board, breaking the ice in the ninth minute on a goal by Chessa Hoekstra that was assisted by Emily Berzolla. The Engineers doubled their lead in the 35th minute on a free kick from just outside the box by Karenna Groff that Anna Weinstein punched home. Just 2:35 later, Claire O'Callaghan scored on a Brandeis turnover to make it 3-0, and Berzolla finished with the only second-half goal, coming in the 57th minute.
The home team outshot Brandeis, 20-10, for the game. Brandeis senior Victoria Richardson (Tolland, Conn. / Tolland) suffered the loss, making three saves in the first half but allowing three goals. Sophomore Rebecca Gold (Pleasant Valley, N.Y./Arlington) had three stops and one goal allowed in the second half. She was making her second career appearance for the Judges. MIT's Ava Gillliken made five stops to earn the clean sheet. Brandeis sophomore forward Juliet Carreiro (Upton, Mass. / Nipmuc Regional) had three of the Judges' 10 shots.
Brandeis returns to action on Wednesday evening, September 4, when they meet Bridgewater State University.