The women's soccer team rebounded from its double-overtime defeat against Lasell College on Sept. 22 with a 2-0 win over Wellesley College last Tuesday. However, the Judges could not build upon this momentum last Saturday, losing 2-0 to the University of Rochester in the team's first University Athletic Association match of the season, leaving the team with a 4-6 record on the season.

Entering last Saturday, the team was on a mission to even its record at .500 after the victory over Wellesley. Despite notching 13 shots overall, the Judges could not find the net and the defense eventually collapsed, coughing up two second-half scores. The YellowJackets played lock-down defense throughout the match and were able to put the game away 2-0.

Both teams started out strongly on defense, with each team allowing only one shot on goal, making for a very low-key start to the match.

At the start of the second half, the Judges began to slowly unravel. After allowing one shot on goal for the entire first half, the YellowJackets fired off two shots in the opening minutes of the second half at Brandeis goaltender Francine Kofinas '13, who was able to deflect both.

But Rochester finally broke through in the 54th minute for the first goal of the match and the eventual game-winner. Junior forward Rachel Wesley sent a cross through the box, which senior forward Ellen Coleman slammed into the top right corner to give the YellowJackets a 1-0 lead.

Rochester added an insurance goal 10 minutes later. Coleman, seeing senior midfielder Elizabeth Martens in the right corner of the box, fired a ball across the field. Martens was then able to relay a tough shot just under of the crossbar and past the outstretched hands of goalie Michelle Savuto '15 to increase the lead.

The Judges had some scoring opportunities to climb back into the game with a few corner kicks and near-misses, but ultimately could not get on the scoreboard against Rochester.

Coach Denise Dallamora was proud of the team's effort, but pointed out the team needs to be more consistent on the attack and make sound decisions in the game.

"We need to go hard to the ball and play a little more physical," she said. "Also, we should read the game quicker; not force play but play smart, making better choices with the ball."

The Judges started off the week last Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Wellesley on its home field. The Judges outshot the Blue 24-11, with 15 of those shots on goal. Kofinas made four saves to earn her first shutout of the season.

The Judges broke through early in the game with a goal in the 10th minute. Coming off a corner kick, forward Madeline Stein '14 nailed a shot right at the Wellesley goalie, who was able to make the initial save.

However, senior back Ali Maresca '12 was able to slam the rebound right in the net at the 9:50 mark, putting the Judges up 1-0 with her second goal of the season.

Brandeis made a statement early in the second half, tacking on another goal. Forward Sapir Edalati '15 broke out on the left side of the field and played the ball through the box to midfielder Alanna Torre '12. Torre fired the ball home for her first goal of the season, giving the Judges an extra goal to put the match away at 2-0. Edalati notched her team-leading fifth point of the season.

Dallamora felt that the team was more aggressive on offense and made fewer mistakes on the defensive side of the ball, things the Judges failed to do against Rochester.

"Against Wellesley, we started to mount an attack, getting good possessions and combinations to move forward," she said. "We also played a little better defense—utilizing pressure and cover more efficiently, and we did not get punished for our mistakes."

The Judges head on the road this week, first taking on Babson College this Thursday at 4:00 p.m. They will then travel to Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday for a match against UAA rival Case Western Reserve University at 11 a.m.