The mens' soccer team had many chances to score during its game against Wheaton College on Wednesday, but the Judges were unable to put one into the net and dropped their second game in a row by a score of 2-0. Brandeis is 4-2, not including a game against Colby-Sawyer on Monday that ended too late for this edition. Despite starting the season 3-3, the Lyons are traditionally one of New England's top teams, and had won 16 of their last 17 home games. Lyons rookie Dan Lane victimized the Judges for both goals, tallying both in the second half. Junior goalie Matt Pachniuk registered the shutout with seven saves.

After a scoreless first half, the Judges turned up the pressure on Wheaton with several scoring opportunities, but were unable to convert. Wheaton was able to take advantage of a Brandeis penalty when Lane hit a free kick off the Brandeis wall and past goalie Pat Makridakis for a 1-0 lead. Less than 10 minutes later, Lane capitalized on a breakaway opportunity and cemented the victory.

"Looking at the second half, we felt like we dominated three-fourths of the half, if not more," captain Scott Zackaroff '07 said. "We dominated, but they got that lucky break on the free kick for the first score."

The team's best chance came when Yoni Litwok '07 had a one-on-one opportunity against Pachniuk, but fired the shot right into the goalie's chest.

Despite allowing two goals, coach Mike Coven said he was pleased with the team's defensive effort.

"The defense has been playing very well," Coven said. "I can't fault them."

Zackaroff agreed, saying, "Defensively, we are fundamentally sound. We're playing well together. We're a sound unit."

Offensively, the team says it is doing everything right except for putting the ball into the net.

"We played pretty well, but we just couldn't finish," forward Ben Premo '09 said. "The bounces didn't go our way. I don't think we need to do anything different, we just need to finish"

Coven has cited composure in front of the net as a key issue, and Zackaroff believes that the young front line-led by Premo and Ed Colburn '09-needs to continue to adjust to the college game.

"It's a different game from high school to college," said Zacharoff. "It's a lot quicker, there are bigger players, and the philosophy changes to how are you going to attack your opponents?"

The offense has also been significantly affected by injuries. Coven has continued to lament the losses of midfielders Yuval Ezer '07 and Brian Bisceglia-Kane (GRAD). Ezer is out with a hip injury and is awaiting the results of an MRI. Bisceglia-Kane, out with a knee injury, is adept at placing balls into the box. Neither will be back for weeks, if at all this season.

"I hate to almost make excuses, but when I envisioned this team this year, they were going to play critical roles in the success of the team," Coven said, "You take one of those guys away, it's bad enough."

After taking on Colby-Sawyer Monday, the Judges travel to Bridgewater State College Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. before opening UAA play against Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland on Saturday.

"I told the kids after the game that they can't lose faith in themselves," Coven said.