WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University women's soccer team controlled the bulk of the play tonight, but visiting Clark University scored a goal in each half to defeat the Judges, 2-1, on Gordon Field. With the loss, the Judges drop to 1-1-1 on the season, while the Cougars improve to 2-0.
Brandeis outshot Clark, 22-8, for the game, including 13-4 in the first half. The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute, however, on a terrific counterattack. Isabella Ramirez played a through ball to the recently-checked-in Imani Salazar. Salazar took a touch and shot it over the Brandeis keeper into the right netting for the 1-0 lead.
The Cougars doubled their lead shortly after halftime in the 48th minute. Salazar had the assist again, as her cross from the left flank found the head of Emily Rooney, who popped into the far-right corner. It proved to be the game-winning goal.
Brandeis cut into the Clark lead in the 55th minute. Sophomore forward Yasla Ngoma (North Plainfield, N.J. / Oak Knoll) fought through the Cougar defense and got a shot off that was saved by Morgan Small. Small was unable to corral the rebound, and Judge senior Juliette Carreiro (Upton, Mass./Nipmuc Regional) finished into the empty net for her second goal of the season and the 11th of her career.
Brandeis continued to put pressure on Clark through the rest of the game, with several shots sailing just over the crossbar. Small made her seventh save of the game in the 88th minute against senior Lauren Mastandrea (Hauppage, N.Y./Hauppage) to preserve the one-goal lead. Brandeis rookie Hannah Bassan (Aventura, Fla. / NSU University School) made four saves in the losing effort.
Brandeis returns to action on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they wrap up a four-game home stand against Eastern Connecticut State University.
