WSoccer: Gregor nets two goals in 21st birthday Cougar bash
If Lauren Gregor's '06 21st birthday wish was for a pair of goals, she certainly saw it come true. Gregor scored two goals in the women's soccer team's 3-0 win over Clark University Saturday at home, lifting their record to 2-1 and giving Gregor a memorable birthday. It was a rebound win for Brandeis, which lost 1-0 against Babson College last Tuesday."Getting the win was a great way to celebrate my birthday," Gregor said. "If we had lost, I wouldn't have been in a good mood, and not being in a good mood on your
birthday is the worst. Winning on your birthday makes it extra sweet."
The Judges wasted no time against the Cougars, recording their first goal only two minutes into the game. The goal resulted from a corner kick by Gregor that was kept alive by Nickey Guertin '08 and eventually headed into the net by Lizzie Bremner '08 after bouncing off members of both teams.
The team struck again only 18 minutes later when Gregor blasted a shot past the keeper from directly outside the box after intercepting a Clark clearing attempt. The third tally came after a halftime goalie change by the Cougars. Lisa Kaplin '07, playing in her first game of the season after suffering a knee injury during the pre-season, fed Gregor a pass that she coolly slid past the Clark defense and goalie.
The Cougars pestered the Brandeis defense with consistent pressure all game. Brandeis took 19 shots, only one more than Clark, but the Judges made it difficult for the Cougars to capitalize on any of their shots.
Although they were tested more in the second half, the defense and goalkeeper Betsey Medow '08 were able to turn away any attempts as Medow secured her second career shutout.
"We were very aggressive offensively," coach Denise Dallamora said. "We have to work on reading the game better-better body position and anticipation, but our defense organized themselves much better in the second half."
According to the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III national poll, Brandeis is ranked No. 25 as of Sept. 6. However, Gregor said the team can move up in the rankings if it doesn't let an occasional defeat turn into a losing streak.
The Judges suffered a frustrating loss at Babson on Tuesday. They out-shot the Cougars 11-10 but lost on a first-half game-winner by junior Caitlin Cronin. Amy King '08 had a breakaway with 8:25 left, but a clutch slide tackle by sophomore back Shir Castel denied the potential goal-scoring opportunity.
"We have to try to not get frustrated after a loss," Gregor said. "If we have a setback, it's important that we pick ourselves right up and get back on the winning track."
Gregor's 80 points puts her in third place on Brandeis's career point-scoring list, and fourth on the career goal-scoring list with 33. She also has five multiple-goal games in her career.
The Judges travel to Boston to take on Simmons College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before hosting Springfield College Saturday at 1 p.m.
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