The Brandeis women's soccer team kicked off the '03 season on a high note this week with a pair of decisive wins against Curry College and MIT by scores of 7-0 and 6-1, respectively.Thursday in Milton against Curry, the Judges season-opener was highlighted by Melissa DeLowe's '04 first career hat trick.

Midfielder Lauren Gregor '06, a Massachusetts native, had a strong game in her long-awaited return from a season-ending injury last season. The sophomore netted the Judges' fourth goal just ten seconds into the first half.

Forwards Rachel Koffman '06 and Sarah Staid '05 added goals in the second half before DeLowe finished off her hat trick with a goal with a minute to go in the game.

In this strong opening win by the Judges, head coach Denis Dallamora's squad used three goalkeepers and ultimately kept the Curry Colonels scoreless on the afternoon. Natasha Pieciak '06 played 45 minutes and made 3 saves, while Mari Levine '06 contributed 30 minutes in which she successfully defended four shots. The Judges' final netminder, Kirsten Tracy '05, played 15 minutes and made one save.

Saturday, as the Red Sox were taking care of business in the Bronx, the Judges were doing the same in Waltham against MIT. Brandeis put forth another very strong performance as five different Judges scored goals en route to the hosts taking their Brandeis opener 6-1 over the visiting Engineers.

The win over MIT was Brandeis' first against the Cambridge school since the 1996 season. MIT actually took the early lead, but their cushion did not last long as Melissa Gordon '05 scored the first in an impressive barrage of Judges' goals.

Delowe added Brandeis' next two goals of the game within 10 minutes of each other. Her first of the pair came 27 minutes into the game and proved to be the game- winner as the Judges never looked back. Delowe's second goal came on a free kick from about 20 yards out. Jillian Peo '05 added a goal at the 43:09 mark before first-year Brittany Douglass '07 assisted Jessica Druckman '06 and Gregor for the final two goals of the Judges' scoring burst.

The Judges' dominance was not only apparent on the scoreboard, but also in terms of shots, as the Judges outshot MIT by a crucial 27-7 margin. Brandeis goalkeeper Natasha Pieciak made two saves in helping the Judges cruise to victory.

"I think this year we're doing really well," Pieciak said. "We have a strong group of first-years and we're connecting well as a team."

"The win against MIT was a big one," senior Golomb added. "They're a quality team and it's the first time we've beaten them since 1996."

The combined 13 goals from the Judges in the first two games are the most goals in consecutive games for a Brandeis women's soccer team since the '00 campaign.

The Judges travel to Wellesley to face Babson College today before playing host to Clark University Saturday.

Clark is unbeaten through three contests this season, having outscored their opponents by a 16-0 margin. Of course, Cougars head coach Joe Brady realizes that this Brandeis team will provide far more competition than the likes of Simmons and Wheelock College. Clark competes in the NEWMAC conference with schools ranging from Babson to Springfield College.

Brandeis doesn't play a UAA team until they battle the University of Rochester on October 4. Whoever the opponent is, the Judges see no reason why they can't continue their success on both sides of the ball in their upcoming games. "I think it's a good start," Golomb continued. "Everyone's excited about what it's going to lead to.