The Brandeis men’s soccer team conducted  a very successful campaign that brought them all the way to the Division III final four last year. The team has also made six straight trips to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament, the second-longest streak in Division III. This season, expectations for the team are certainly high, as it begins the season ranked fourth in the nation among Division III schools. The team has started off their season 1-1 after two contests in the North Shore classic. 


Gordon College 3, Judges 2


The Judges were upset by the Flying Scots of Gordon College. Brandeis fell behind early after Gordon scored a goal off of a Brandeis deflection. Andrew Allen ’19 and the Judges quickly responded in the 25th minute with a goal of their own off a penalty. However, less than three minutes later, they had fallen behind 3-1 and would not regain the lead. The Judges would score again when Jake Warren ’20 had a header that ricocheted off the right post. Despite no more scoring in the game, the Judges dominated second-half ball possession and outshot the Flying Scots 15-3, but they could not outmatch the goalkeeper from Gordon. The team had many opportunities to score late. The would-be equalizer, a header from Brandon Miskin ’19, sailed just wide left. If a few shots had gone differently, this would have been very much a winnable game. It will be these close wins and losses that will define the outcome of the Judges' season, especially as the team begins with UAA play.  


Endicott College 0, Judges 2


The Brandeis men’s soccer team won  their season opener against Endicott College by a score of 2-0. The game was deadlocked 0-0 late into the second half with neither team making progress. However, in the 63rd minute, Andrew Allen was able to break things open with a goal off the assist of Warren. The Judges added an insurance goal 10 minutes later off of the foot of UNC Wilmington transfer Bryant Nardizzi ’20. Brandeis goalkeeper Greg Irwin ’20 played a fantastic game, stopping a career high eight shots en route to his second career shutout. The defense was the story of this game, as the Judges were able to keep Endicott out of scoring terrority for the majority of the game and did not allow too many shots on goal.  


This season is going to be a  good one for the Judges as the team has added a strong first-year class, many valuable transfer students and has retained many key pieces from last year's run. The season will also feature a healthy mix of both local and UAA conference plays throughout the season. The team's goal remains the same: to win the Division III championship. Their hot streak is historic, and all the Judges need is a spark to take that next step and bring some national glory to Waltham. 

Looking ahead in the next week, the Judges will host Springfield College tomorrow at 7 p.m. Following that, they will travel to Wellesley, Mass. to take on Babson College on Saturday at 1 p.m. They will then return to the road to take on Worcester Polytechnic Institute next Tuesday. The men will next compete against the Massachusetts Maritime Academy the following Tuesday. They will then take on Tufts on that Friday followed by Wheaton College the following Tuesday before kicking off UAA conference play. The following game against Case Western Reserve will be their homecoming game.