Spring Break
MSOCCER: Midfielder to the rescue--Ezer returns
by Charlie Gandelman
Sports | 9/5/06
Posted online at 3:03 AM EST on 9/5/06
/ Last updated at 8:29 PM EST on 9/5/06
Yuval Ezer '07 is the kind of player who makes an immediate impact on a soccer field. After arriving at Brandeis as a heralded transfer student from the University of Connecticut in the fall of 2004, the Israeli midfielder made his presence felt right away for the men's soccer team, scoring three goals and two assists during an early-season three-game winning streak for the Judges that season. He was eventually slated as a captain for the 2005 season.
But instead of leading the Judges to glory, Ezer watched last season from the sidelines with a serious injury as the men's soccer team struggled to a 6-9-2 campaign.
He finally hit the field again Saturday, and immediately gave the Judges a kick-start for the 2006 season, scoring the first goal of a 3-0 win at Endicott College. It didn't take Ezer long to find the net, with a diving header in the 24th minute. Forward Ben Premo '09, the team's leading scorer last year, added two goals in the victory.
With his experience as a former Division I player for UConn, Ezer brings both on-field skills and leadership qualities that most Division III players lack.
"[Ezer] is like a second coach out there," coach Mike Coven said. "We're a much better team with him on the field. He does things that most Division III players can't do."
After forming a dynamic scoring tandem with Shelton Stewart '06 in the Judges' midfield during the 2004 season, Ezer's return gives Brandeis a valuable playmaking threat for 2006.
"[Ezer] is a playmaker," said forward Jordan Skolnick '07, who registered the assist for Ezer's goal. "He makes things happen. He's a difference maker and a threat anywhere on the field."
The Judges were held scoreless for the remainder of the first half, but Premo took over the game after the break. He scored his first goal less than half a minute into the second half when rookie midfielder Billy Murphy '10 chipped the ball over the Endicott defense. Premo took the ball and slid it past the goalie from five yards out. He went on to ice the game for Brandeis by scoring again in the 64th minute from the left corner of the box, touching the ball past a defender and then rocketing it into the back of the net.
But instead of leading the Judges to glory, Ezer watched last season from the sidelines with a serious injury as the men's soccer team struggled to a 6-9-2 campaign.
He finally hit the field again Saturday, and immediately gave the Judges a kick-start for the 2006 season, scoring the first goal of a 3-0 win at Endicott College. It didn't take Ezer long to find the net, with a diving header in the 24th minute. Forward Ben Premo '09, the team's leading scorer last year, added two goals in the victory.
With his experience as a former Division I player for UConn, Ezer brings both on-field skills and leadership qualities that most Division III players lack.
"[Ezer] is like a second coach out there," coach Mike Coven said. "We're a much better team with him on the field. He does things that most Division III players can't do."
After forming a dynamic scoring tandem with Shelton Stewart '06 in the Judges' midfield during the 2004 season, Ezer's return gives Brandeis a valuable playmaking threat for 2006.
"[Ezer] is a playmaker," said forward Jordan Skolnick '07, who registered the assist for Ezer's goal. "He makes things happen. He's a difference maker and a threat anywhere on the field."
The Judges were held scoreless for the remainder of the first half, but Premo took over the game after the break. He scored his first goal less than half a minute into the second half when rookie midfielder Billy Murphy '10 chipped the ball over the Endicott defense. Premo took the ball and slid it past the goalie from five yards out. He went on to ice the game for Brandeis by scoring again in the 64th minute from the left corner of the box, touching the ball past a defender and then rocketing it into the back of the net.
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