The men's soccer team hasn't allowed a goal in over three games, but it was the offense that stole the show Sunday, when the Judges blew away Colby-Sawyer College 9-0 at home in their most prolific scoring performance since 1996. The victory extended the team's winning streak to three games. With a 3-0 win over Springfield College Wednesday at home, the Judges are now 8-5-3 overall and 1-2 in the University Athletic Association.

After the Judges' mediocre start to the season, including three ties against ranked teams, they finally broke through with their first UAA win in a 1-0 victory Oct. 15 against No. 17 ranked Emory University.

"[This] is the best soccer the team has played in three years," coach Mike Coven said.

"We're on a roll and playing well. The kids are working hard."

But while the team's stalwart defense has been instrumental in the its resurgence-Brandeis has now played 319 minutes and 34 seconds without allowing a score-the offense finally opened up Sunday.

The Judges spread the wealth against Colby-Sawyer, with six players scoring goals. Forward Mike Snyder '07 lead the way with a hat trick.

Brandeis scored early and often, leading by three goals in just the 12th minute of play. In the fourth minute, midfielder David Spear '07 headed the ball toward Snyder for the first goal.

After Snyder scored his second in the ninth minute, forward and midfielder Jordan Skolnick '07 scored off of a rebound of Snyder's blocked shot.

Midfielder Yuval Ezer '07 followed with an unassisted goal in the 22nd minute, and forward Ben Premo '09 notched his 11th goal of the season in the 44th minute to give Brandeis a commanding 5-0 halftime advantage.

On a youthful team, it was the seniors who dominated Sunday, making for a memorable last regular season appearance on Gordon Field. The seniors tallied six goals and four assists on the day. Midfielder David Spear '07 scored his first career goal in the 55th minute.

"I was overwhelmed, but a little bit sad," Spear said.

Coven took advantage of the Judges' large lead to rest his starters for much of the second half, while allowing the young players the limelight. In all, 28 Brandeis players appeared in the game.

"It was nice to get guys who haven't played this year game experience," Coven said.

Each of the Judges' starters left the field one-by-one to a standing ovation from their teammates and Coven. With many of his classmates on the bench, Snyder burst through the middle to score the seventh goal of the game, completing his hat trick.

As soon as he scored, he was replaced by forward Ben Premo '09. Coven and Snyder couldn't have written a more perfect script, as Snyder's goal and subsequent exit were met by loud cheers, providing a storybook ending for his final home game.

"We planned it that way," Coven said.

"[Snyder] has come full circle. He developed his skills and improved 100 percent as a player."

Goalies Bracken and Josh Bellet '10 combined for the shutout in net, recording one save apiece. On the flip side, Colby-Sawyer junior goalie Bill Closs '09 allowed all nine goals while only managing just eight saves.

Although scoring nine goals in a game is certainly an attention-grabbing feat, Coven appreciated the Judges' shutout effort even more.

"The shutout is more important to me [than scoring nine goals]," Coven said.

"It's not just the goalie or the defenders, but all 11 players [on the field that] contribute."

With the Judges' stalwart defense a theme during their winning streak, the team blanked Springfield College earlier in the week, as well. Defensemen and midfielder Brett Fitzgerald '08, Ezer and Snyder all notched goals, securing a win despite the team being outshot 17-13. While Springfield controlled the midfield, solid defensive play by the Judges and strong goalkeeping by Bracken preserved the shutout.

The Judges wrap up the regular season with four games on the road, three against UAA opponents.

"We have to take advantage of the momentum," Ezer said. "We have to win the UAA games if we want to [go to the postseason]."

The Judges go on the road to play Lasell College at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday before traveling to Washington University in St. Louis Friday at 7:30 p.m. and to the University of Chicago Sunday at 1:30 p.m. game.