Chris Shannon '04 headed the ball into the net early in the first half, but Brian Bisceglia-Kane '05 was called for off-sides and the Judges registered their first loss of the season, falling 1-0 at Clark University Sunday. The loss followed the Judges second win of the season, a 2-1 home victory against Worcester State College on Tuesday.The Cougars' Juan Becerra converted the only goal of Sunday's game, scoring with less than nine minutes left to lift host Clark. The Judges lost despite out-shooting the Cougars 18-11 and owning a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks. Shannon and Shelton Stewart '06 each attempted four shots for Brandeis.

"It was a tough loss," Shannon said. "We needed that, we needed a little momentum and it's really tough that they took it back."

Despite dropping to 2-1-1 for the season, the Judges posted a solid victory on Tuesday. Forward Yoni Litwok '07 scored the first two goals of his Brandeis career, leading the Judges over the Worcester State Lancers 2-1.

Both goals were assisted by Chris Manion '06. The Judges out-shot the Lancers 17-8, including 10-1 in the first half.

"It was an awesome feeling to help the team out like that," Litwok said.

Captain netminder Ben Doyen-Charon '04 continued his stellar play this week, registering eight saves. Doyen-Charon has played every minute of the season so far, registering 16 saves and allowing a mere one goal per game.

"None of the goals we've let in have been his fault," Head Coach Mike Coven remarked.

The Judges will try to bounce back from Saturday's setback this week with home games against Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Wheaton College. Coven is looking for his team to play with more intensity as the schedule grows more difficult.

"Some of our players are really playing soft," Coven said. "Particularly in the middle third of the field, we're letting other teams dominate the 50-50 balls. Everybody needs to tackle hard and everyone needs to fight."

Shannon agreed with his coach. "We definitely need to improve," he said. "If we play like (Saturday)we're going to lose a lot of our games. (Clark) isn't one of the best teams we play, so it's a real tough loss."

Despite the challenges ahead, Litwok is confident the Judges will be successful this season. "We work really hard at practice," he said. "We're a close group of guys and I think that's going to carry us through the season."

After the contests with WPI and Wheaton, the Judges will travel to Wenham to face Massachusetts foe Gordon College.

The Fighting Scots, who compete in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, are coming off a solid 14-win season. They are led by sophomore All-Conference performer Matt Smith.