The Brandeis men's soccer team didn't make a pit stop to gamble in Atlantic City during their trips to Pittsburgh and Atlanta over the weekend, but there was an element of luck in their games against Emory University and Carnegie Mellon University last weekend. Brandeis fell 1-0 to Emory last Friday despite outshooting the Eagles 22-10 and clipping the crossbar twice. However, the Judges rebounded in Pennsylvania two days later, an own goal by a Carnegie defender in overtime giving Brandeis its first University Athletic Association road win of the season.

"We actually played better against Emory," midfielder Lee Russo '13 said. "We had four or five opportunities that just didn't go in. We hit crossbar, we created great plays but just couldn't finish it for some reason."

"The game-winning goal [last Sunday] was lucky," continued Russo. "But if you put the ball in dangerous positions, good things will happen. [Last Sunday], luck was on our side, and Friday it wasn't."

Last Saturday, the Judges trained at the Tartans' brand-new, soccer-only stadium to get accustomed to the field on Saturday. By game time on Sunday morning, there was no snow on the field or remnants of a nor'easter like there was in Massachusetts. Even so, the Judges struggled at the opening of the game.

Blake Minchoff '13 had to make five first-half saves as the Judges failed to control the ball in midfield. The Tartans play a direct passing style and had the advantage in height, with most of their outfield players over six feet tall. Brandeis, who has just four of their usual starters listed over six feet, rely on a possession-based style that was stagnant in the first half.

The Tartans, who outshot Brandeis 11-4 in the opening half, opened up the scoring in the 22nd minute. Senior midfielder Kyle Young played the ball to the right flank for junior forward Alex Abedian, who beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty area before rifling a shot past Minchoff from 16 yards out.

Carnegie continued to threaten, though Minchoff and his defense were able to cover for the Judges' struggles, which needed a change of tactic heading into halftime.

"[Carnegie] took it to us. I challenged [the team] at halftime to rise to the occasion and play with more passion," explained coach Mike Coven. "We play an attractive possession game, but we had to change our game a bit. They're a big team, so we had to go in hard and be more aggressive and match them and [create] chances out of the gate. Brandeis notched their equalizer 30 minutes into the second half.

In the 75th minute, forward Tyler Savonen '15 took control of the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shot at goal. Sophomore Tartan goalkeeper Chris Madden made the save but spilled a rebound right into the path of midfielder Theo Terris '12, who slotted the ball into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

"The goal was a huge relief," Terris said of his equalizer. "We've been having trouble finding the net the past few games, but we knew it was a matter of time before we started scoring again."

The Judges tacked on the pressure in search of a late goal, but Madden blocked numerous Brandeis scoring chances in the final moments of regulation. The game was forced into overtime, where the Judges finally grabbed the winner. Forward Steve Keuchkarian '12 drew a foul 25 yards from goal in the 106th minute. Russo took the set piece, his curling cross deflecting off the head of senior defender Nick Gianopolous and into the goal for the victory.

"I put the ball down, and I wasn't even shooting it," Russo said. "I was trying to cross it. It was actually a really good ball, and the defender on the other team tried to clear it, but it went off his head and into net."

"The first half was probably some of the worst soccer we played all year," lamented Coven. "We gave it away a lot; we couldn't keep possession. But in the second half, we came out with more intensity. We rose to the challenge and ended up playing pretty good soccer. We're moving along, but honestly we played a better game on Friday night [against Emory]."

Last Friday, the Judges should have cruised to victory as they had more scoring chances and controlled possession. Russo hit the crossbar twice, in the 15th and 46th minutes. The Judges also outshot their opponents by double digits, but the Eagles scored against the run of play.

In the 56th minute, midfielder Kyle Feather '14 went on a breakaway that was halted by Eagles goalkeeper Andrew Goldblum. Moments later, junior Andrew Jones played the ball wide to senior Zack Daniels. Daniels picked up his head and crossed to David Garofalo, who headed the ball into the net to hand Emory a lead they would not relinquish.

"We could have won the Emory game four or five goals to one," said Coven. "I mean, a fraction of an inch on either of the two of Russo's shots that hit the crossbar and it's a different game. Luck wasn't on our side [last] Friday."

The Judges have just one game remaining in the regular season, a UAA matchup against New York University on Friday at Gordon Field. Despite the loss, Coven is still holding out hope that the team can make the NCAA tournament.

"It's a long shot," Coven said of the Judges' NCAA tournament chances. "We have to win next Saturday. Plus, the results of some of the other teams in New England are important and will be taken into consideration. Our chances are very, very slim. But there is still a chance."