The No. 7 men’s soccer team put on an impressive display in a hard-fought 1-0 win at New York University on Saturday, and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships on Monday afternoon. 

With their 17 wins dwarfing just two losses this season, the Judges have now equaled the Brandeis record for number of wins in regular season, set in the 1985 to 1986 season. 

They inch closer to the record of 19 wins across all competitions, set in the 1984 to 1985 season by the team that finished in second place at the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The first half saw plenty of attempts on goal—as the Judges outshot NYU 8-5—and each keeper was forced to make seven saves over the span of 20 minutes. The second half, however, was a different story, with the Judges recording 13 shots compared to only three from NYU. Despite the offensive onslaught, the NYU defense proved hard to crack.

Forward Evan Jastremski ’17 said he thought the squad was faced with a tough task going up against a team that let up less than one goal per game.

“They were very well coached and organized in defense,” he said.

The game may well have ended in a stalemate, but in the waning minutes of the second half the Judges broke the deadlock.

In the 81st minute, Jastremski latched onto a rebound after two blocked attempts on goal in quick succession by forward Tyler Savonen ’15 and slotted the ball home for the only lead Brandeis would need.

After the goal, the Judges second-ranked defense took over and did not allow NYU a single opportunity to level the game. The Judges gave up only six goals on the entire season, good for an impressive .33 goals against average.

The Judges outshot NYU 21-8 in the game and 13-3 in the second half, not allowing the hosts a shot for nearly 20 minutes in the middle stages of the second half. NYU had one last chance to tie the game in the 86th minute, but the shot sailed wide of the post and the Judges walked away with a victory.

The squad finished the regular season second among all Division III teams in goals against average and the lowest among all UAA teams by a .24-goal margin.

Jastremki spoke highly of the defensive corps, noting their consistency throughout the season.

“Our defense played great, which is not a surprise because they have played great all year,” he said. 

The back four have helped the team record 14 shutouts on the season, tying the record previously set in the 1984 to1985 season.

Though the Judges got the victory over NYU, their offense has been shut down at times this year as three out of their last five wins were 1-0 victories, and four of the last five were by a one-goal advantage.

“We are still trying to find our rhythm in the offensive third,” reflected Jastremski.

Jastremski’s goal, his third of the season and second game-winning goal of his career, sealed the Judges’ place as runners up in the UAA behind the University of Chicago.

Brandeis dropped a road matchup to Chicago on Nov. 2 by a close 1-0 final, squandering an opportunity to clinch the conference and resigning the team to an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Judges finish the year with a 5-2 conference record and sit at 17-2 overall, ranked as the top team in the New England region after defeating regional opponents Wheaton College (Massachusetts), Babson College, Tufts University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute this year. 

Wheaton holds the No. 16 ranking in the country and the No. 2 spot in New England but fell to the Judges in a 1-0 defeat on Sept. 30, during which Jastremski assisted the only goal of the game.

The squad’s bid to the NCAA Tournament is its third appearance in as many years after reaching the Sweet Sixteen each of the past two seasons as well as their fifth postseason appearance in a row. 

The squad fell to Williams College in the Sweet Sixteen in each of the past two seasons and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament in both the 2010 to 2011 season and the 2011 to 2012 season. 

The Judges will welcome Husson University to Gordon Field on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.