The Justice

Captain midfielder Evan Duval, white, trips and falls on the ball during the Judges' 1-0 victory over Lasell College Tuesday night. David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice

After a humbling 4-0 loss at No. 12 Emory University Friday night, coach Mike Coven, in an attempt to create more offense, shuffled the men's soccer team's starting lineup prior to Sunday's contest at Carnegie Mellon University. The new lineup still didn't score a goal, though it did help snap the team's University Athletic Association losing streak.

The Judges' 0-0 tie against Carnegie Mellon salvaged a potentially devastating weekend and was the first game Brandeis didn't lose in UAA play this season. With one game left in the season, the Judges are 8-8-3 overall and 0-5-1 in conference play following Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Lasell College, which gave Coven his 400th career victory (see story, left).

Despite the tie, Coven wasn't pleased that the Judges once again failed to score against a UAA team. Brandeis extended its scoring drought against conference opponents to 526 minutes, or roughly 5 1/2 games.

"It was a very disappointing weekend," Coven said. "We had two full games of soccer with two overtime [periods], and we didn't score a goal."

A lack of offensive production has plagued the Judges all season, as the team has scored more than two goals in a game just four times this season. After the loss to Emory, Coven shook up the starting backline, moving Brett Fitzgerald '08 to the center midfield position. David Weinstein '08, usually the right back, moved to Fitzgerald's sweeper position while rookie Matt Hohmann '11 made his first start of the season in Weinstein's regular spot. Only left back Joe Levitan '08 remained in the same position.

The switch didn't result in any goals, but the offense was able to attempt 11 shots Sunday after only attempting four against Emory Friday. The switch also didn't hurt the team defensively, as the Judges stopped every Carnegie scoring opportunity.

Goalie Taylor Bracken '10 had four saves, including two as regulation was winding down in the 88th and 89th minutes, respectively, en route to recording his fifth shutout of the season.

"It was a hard-fought game," midfielder Evan Duval '08 said. "We're happy with the result, but we should have won. We had the opportunity to win, but couldn't put it away."

Continued...

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