Women's Soccer Contends with No. 25 Brandeis, Falls Short 2-1

NEWTON, Mass. (9/4/15) – Lasell College came up short against No. 25 Brandeis University, 2-1, in non-conference women's soccer action Friday afternoon at Taylor Field. The Lasers shift to 0-2 on the year, while the Judges remain undefeated at 2-0.

The Judges put high pressure on the hosts from the get-go, firing off two shots in the opening five. With 25:00 left on the clock, senior midfielder Alex Spivack (Miami, Fla.) pulled off a shot in the midst of a defensive scramble to put the visitors on the board.  With a lineup change for the Lasers, the two teams battled throughout the remainder of the half with equal possession. At 24:50, the Lasers were awarded a corner kick, where senior Leah Suto (Oxford, Conn.) fed a textbook ball into the box. The Judges' defense, however, held composure and got a solid clear out of trouble.

After both teams returned from the halftime break, the Judges wasted little time getting into the offensive third. In an attempt for her second goal, Spivack ripped a header shot at the net, where sophomore keeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) came out for the save.  On the brink of goal number two, senior midfielder Holly Szafran (Homewood, Ala.) released a header straight into the net, but was waved offside.

Lasell started to push more in the offensive third, where junior forward Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) took the ball straight up the middle and fired a shot, but flew just above the crossbar. However, this wasn't the end of Cullen's push. With 12:48 left in regulation, senior midfielder Bridget Munnelly (Bellingham, Mass.) played a perfect ball across the net from the right field line, where Cullen then found the back of the net, to even out the score 1-1.

The Judges were more than quick to respond, as junior forward Lea McDaniel (Phoenix, Ariz.) received a an open cross from junior forward Cidney Moscovitch (Coral Springs, Fla.), giving the visitors a 2-1 insurance. In an attempt to for the go-ahead goal, junior Devon Day (Hartland, Vt.) took a corner for the hosts, where Munnelly rushed in and put the ball just outside the frame.

Brandeis held a 16-8 margin on the Lasers in shots, while LaClair (0-2) had 10 saves from 12 blasts on goal. Junior goalkeeper Alexis Grossman (Syosset, N.Y.) saved two of the three shots on net, and remains undefeated at 2-0.

The Lasers are back in action on Wednesday, September 9, as they head up to Keene State for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff, while the Judges will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. for their home opener.