The Justice

Midfielder Melissa Gorenkoff '10 maneuvers around the defense in the Judges' 3-2 victory over MIT Saturday. Photo by David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice

Just like last season, the women's soccer team fell behind early in its season opener Saturday against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This time, however, they were able to complete the comeback effort.

Forward Sarah Jasak '08 scored two second-half goals, and the Judges overcame two different deficits to defeat the Engineers 3-2. In the Judges' opening game last season, MIT took the lead in the eighth minute and eventually won 2-1 in overtime.

"We had to come back three times," coach Denise Dallamora said. "We were down the first goal, we had to come back, we were down the second goal, we had to come back, and then we weren't down, but we had to come back to win it. I think [the players] never give up."

The Engineers led 1-0 and 2-1 at different points in the game, but Jasak tied the score in the 61st minute, redirecting midfielder Melissa Gorenkoff's '10 cross past junior goalie Stephanie Brenman. The score remained tied until Jasak sealed the victory in the 86th minute with her second goal, assisted by captain Lizzie Bremner '08.

The Engineers took the lead Saturday even earlier than last year, scoring in the fourth minute when senior Amy Ludlum scored on a breakaway against goalie Hilary Rosenzweig '10.

"The first goal was not [Rosenzweig's] fault," Dallamora said. "It was a breakaway and they hit the far post, and not many goalkeepers can save that one."

The Judges staged their first comeback in the 26th minute, tying the game at one on a goal by forward Tzlil Castel '08. The two teams remained tied going into halftime.

The Engineers took a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute on Ludlum's second goal of the game and held that lead for the next seven minutes before Jasak's two second-half scores.

Dallamora said she was impressed with the play of Gorenkoff , who mustered a team-high 12 shots on goal.

"[Melissa's] definitely our go-to girl," Dallamora said. "Sometimes she had three defenders on her and she still got the shot."

Dallamora also praised the defensive effort from captain midfielder Amy King '08.

"[King] stepped up huge," Dallamora said. "She started off in [center midfield] which isn't her role, and she finished in the back, which [also] isn't her role."

The Judges outshot the Engineers 28-8 and also had a 7-2 advantage on corner kicks. Brenman kept the Engineers in the game with 12 saves, while Rosenzweig saved one shot.

The team's seven rookies contributed both offensively and defensively in their debut, combining to take eight of the Judges' 28 shots.

One rookie, Tiffany Pacheco '11, injured her knee in the 75th minute, but Dallamora said she should be ready for the next match.

The Judges face local foes this week, with games at Babson College Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Springfield College Saturday at 1 p.m.

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