The Justice

Media Credit: David Sheppard-Brick Ellie Einhorn '11 controls the ball during the Eastern College Athletic Conference final game.

Just like it had in their quarterfinal and semifinal matches, the women's soccer team jumped ahead of its opponent in the first period of the Eastern College Athletic Conference championship game against No. 4 University of New England last Sunday.

Forward Melissa Gorenkoff '10 dribbled around the goalie box and hit a shot into the lower left corner of the net to give the Judges an early 2-0 lead in the 28th minute. Sixty-two minutes and 15 University of New England shots later, the Judges had their second straight ECAC Division III New England title.

Gorenkoff's goal, her fourth of the tournament, proved to be the game-winner as the Judges defeated the Nor'easters 3-1 to win the title. The win came after a 3-0 triumph over Emmanuel College in the semifinals last Saturday and a 4-0 victory over St. Joseph's (Conn.) College last Wednesday.

"We've just been working hard all year," defender Meredith Milstein '09 said. "As the season comes to a close, everything really fell together."

Gorenkoff's performance in the three games earned her the tournament Most Valuable Player award. Her four goals in the three games matched her total in the 19 regular-season games in which she played.

"[Gorenkoff] really stepped up in the tournament," coach Denise Dallamora said. "She had two goals [last Saturday, and] she had a goal and assist [last Sunday]. … She took her game to another level, which is great to see."

The Judges struck first in the fourth minute of the championship contest, when midfielder Mimi Theodore '12 tapped in Gorenkoff's crossing pass. Gorenkoff's goal 24 minutes later gave the Judges a 2-0 advantage.

Brandeis' third goal of the half came in the 43rd minute, when forward Tiffany Pacheco '11 forced a turnover and passed the ball to midfielder Alanna Torre '12, who shot it in for her third goal of the year.

While the Judges took 13 shots in the first half compared to just five for the University of New England, the Nor'easters never quit. The University of New England fired 14 attempts in the second half against just five for the Judges. But Brandeis' defense held tough, not giving up a goal until the 82nd minute.

Continued...

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