The women's soccer team held the No. 14 team in the country to only one goal in the first half, but got steamrolled in the second half of a 5-0 home loss to the University of Chicago Sunday. Four goals by Chicago in the second half handed the Judges their sixth loss in seven games, while Chicago senior forward Renee Neuner scored two goals to become the UAA's all-time single season leading goal scorer with 24 goals.Coming off a 4-0 home loss to Washington University in St. Louis in the team's first game under the new lights on Gordon Field, Brandeis is now 1-5-0 in UAA play and 7-8-1 overall.

The Maroons scored the game winner just 12 minutes into the first half when Chicago sophomore midfielder Christine Farmer intercepted a Brandeis pass and took it to the net. The visitors outshot the Judges 12-1 in the first half, but Julie Scherr '08 made four first-half saves in her first career start for Brandeis.

Chicago wasted no time taking command in the second half. The Maroons scored less than two minutes into the half, and again only two minutes later.

A mid-half goalie switch to veteran Betsey Medow '08 didn't stop the Chicago scoring parade. Medow took over the net 15 minutes into the second half, making four saves but allowing two goals as the Maroons continued to dominate play.

Defender Brittany Douglass '07 was called in to take a direct kick from the 30-yard line 20 minutes into the second half. Her well-struck ball cleared the wall of five Maroons and their goalie, but hit the upper left corner of the goalpost and bounced away.

Brandeis assistant coach Kendall Cox said the Judges were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

"I don't think that we played better in the first half than we played in the second, Chicago just capitalized on the opportunities they got," he said. "We had some opportunities too, but they just put theirs in the back of the net today, unfortunately."

Cox also said the Maroons controlled balls in the air, forcing the Judges to make more difficult ground passes.

"We were always just a step behind," he said.

Friday night's 4-0 loss to WashU was out of the Judges' reach quickly. The Bears turned in a three-goal first half, and added another in the second to hand Brandeis the shutout loss.

The Judges need to win their last game in order to be considered for an ECAC post-season tournament berth.

Despite their two most recent overwhelming losses, players say they are optimistic about performing under the pressure.

"One thing our team has is heart, and knowing that the NYU game might possibly

be our last, everybody is going to show up to win," center midfielder Lizzie Bremner '08 said. "We just need to show up ready to play. [We need to] play our possession game and attack as a team."

The Judges play their last regular season game on Friday against NYU at 1 p.m.

Editor's Note: Julie Scherr '08 is a senior writer for the Justice.