The fate of the Brandeis women's soccer team (14-2-2 overall, 4-1-2 UAA) was at stake this weekend. Despite enjoying one of the best seasons in school history, the Judges were unsure whether or not they would earn a crucial postseason invitation. While that decision was out of their hands, there was something they could control and that was their regular-season finale against New York University at home on Saturday. The Judges did their part that day, defeating the struggling Violets (6-11-1 overall, 0-7 UAA).

Forward Melissa Delowe '04 booted in her 16th goal of the season at the 64:56 mark to set the Brandeis single-season scoring record and provide the Judges with the decisive tally in a close win over rival NYU.

NYU struck first, taking a 1-0 lead over Brandeis. The first-half goal broke the Judges' three-game shutout streak in the 28th minute when sophomore Kate Goldwater passed the ball to freshman midfielder Mallory Tomaro for her third goal of the season.

The second half was a different story for the Judges when, in the 59th minute, midfielder Jessica Druckman '06 was able to get some breathing room up field. When she collided with a wall of three defenders just past the 18' line, Druckman alertly tapped the ball back to midfielder Jillian Peo '06, who shot a strike from 20 yards out into the top right corner of the goal, knotting the score at 1-1.

Peo never saw the goal, however, as her momentum carried her to the ground after she took the shot. In fact, she did not even know she scored until "I looked up and everyone was yelling," Peo said.

Delowe then scored what would be the eventual game-winner seven minutes later on another assist from Druckman.

"I think we played down to their level in the first half. Then we picked it up and played much better to end the game," Sarah Staid '07 said.

Even though the Judges won, the game was a rough one. "It was fairly violent. They're a very physical team," Peo said.

Brandeis goal-keeper Natasha Pieciak '06 had a very strong performance as she made seven saves while NYU goalie Stacy Tarver had six stops of her own.

Brandeis finished the regular season two wins shy of the school record of 16 which was set in 1990. But they may get a chance to break that record this week when they enter the East Coast Athletic Conference Tournament this week.

This is the Judges' first appearance in the tournament since 1995. Brandeis is the top seed in the tournament.

Brandeis begins tournament play on Wednesday against Wentworth Institute of Technology (14-6). The game is at home at 12:30.