The Justice

Midfielder Alex Mithoefer '08 battles with Endicott College senior defender Eric Booth Saturday at home. Photo by David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice

With the score tied at one goal apiece in the 58th minute of the men's soccer team's season-opener against Endicott College Saturday, midfielder Evan Duval '08 streaked down the left sideline and received a pass from midfielder Alex Mithoefer '08.

Duval dribbled close to the Endicott net to set himself up for the potential go-ahead score, but the shot missed, slowly rolling wide right as junior goalie Scott Emmens barely got a hand on the ball,

This was just one of many scoring opportunities squandered by the Judges during their 1-1 tie with Endicott at home despite outshooting the Gulls by 12. Brandeis converted just one of its shot attempts and none of its nine corner kicks.

"We dominated play, but if you don't score goals you don't win," coach Mike Coven said. "Realistically [Endicott] didn't have the firepower on top. We've got to do better."

Forward Ben Premo '09 scored the lone goal for the Judges in the seventh minute. Midfielder Corey Bradley '10 passed to Mithoefer, who fed Premo for the score.

The Judges continued to control the offensive tempo but were unable to come up with a second goal.

The Gulls tied the game on a rare offensive chance in the 40th minute when senior defender Eric Booth headed in senior forward Pranam Lipinski's corner kick.

It was Endicott's first goal against Brandeis in nearly three years.

"The corner kick was a mismatch," goalie Taylor Bracken '10 said. "A short striker was guarding one of the tallest [Endicott players]."

The Judges used improved passing to outshoot the Gulls 14-6 in the second half and in overtime but were unable to break the tie. Still, the team is hopeful that these missed opportunities against Endicott will become goals as the season progresses.

"In the first game, everyone is rusty," Premo said.

"[The offense] will come around. The shots we missed are shots we'll make later in the season. I'm not worried."

Defensively, the team was seldom challenged as Endicott mustered only 11 shots on net. Bracken made four saves, including a game-saving one off a corner kick in the 105th minute.

Continued...

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