The Justice

Lizzie Bremner '08, left, slides in the Judges' win over Case Western. Kathryn Chioran/the Observer

The women's soccer team entered Saturday's game at Case Western Reserve University on its first losing streak of the season, but the hostile crowd couldn't stop the Judges from snapping their skid.

Led by goals from midfielder Lizzie Bremner '08 and forward Melissa Gorenkoff '10, the Judges dominated the first half and were able to hold off the Spartans 2-0. The victory followed a tight 4-3 loss to No. 17 Tufts University Wednesday and moved the team's record 7-3-1 on the season and 1-1 in University Athletic Association play.

"It was important to us to get a UAA win and send a message to the rest of the conference that we're competitive," Bremner said. "I don't think we let [the Case Western fans] get to us at all, and it kind of gave us more motivation to put the work in to beat them."

A strong defensive effort fueled the Judges' victory, as they matched a season-low by allowing just three shots by the Spartans in the entire game. The Judges previously relinquished just three shots in a 3-0 shutout victory over Wellesley College Sept. 18. Coach Denise Dallamora maintained, however, that the defense has room to improve.

"[The defenders] are starting to gel, but they still get a little unbalanced sometimes when we're dominating," she said. "[Case Western] actually had a couple breakaways that [defender] Abby Shields '10 did a great job of stepping back and breaking up."

The Judges took a 1-0 lead on Bremner's penalty kick in the 25th minute. The Spartans were called for handballing Bremner's corner kick in the goalie box, giving Brandeis the penalty shot. Bremer's attempt was nearly saved by Case Western junior goalie Kirsten McClain, but she was unable to hold onto the shot after a diving reaction to it.

"While it wasn't the best placement that I could have done, it went in," Bremner said. "For me being a senior and a player of experience on the team, I don't let the pressure of [penalty kicks] get to me. With that in mind, I feel like I was pretty levelheaded in taking [the shot]."

Brandeis continued its offensive control in the second half, outshooting the Spartans 5-0 over the first 21 minutes of the game. Dallamora said the Judges should have taken the lead in the 53rd minute, claiming that McClain saved a Gorenkoff shot behind the goal line.

Continued...

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