The men's soccer team held nationally ranked Carnegie Mellon University scoreless through the first 40 minutes of play at home last Sunday and seemed to be on their way to a tie going into the half. But that was before Tartans' junior forward took a long pass from junior midfielder Keith Haselhoff and placed the ball over the head of pursuing goalie Sean O'Hare '12 and into the net, giving Carnegie Mellon an advantage it never surrendered.

Griffin added his second goal of the game and 14th of the season in the second half, leading Carnegie to an eventual 2-1 victory in the Judges' final home match of the season. Brandeis fell to No. 6 after losing to undefeated Emory University 2-0 last Friday and are now 8-8-2 overall and 0-4-2 in the University Athletic Association.

"It's been a disappointing weekend," coach Mike Coven said after Sunday's loss. "We were very flat in the first half today, and then when we went down by two goals, we felt that sense of urgency and started to play and put pressure on them, but it's disappointing."

Brandeis got on the board in the 71st minute when forward Ben Premo '09 knocked in a loose ball in front of the Carnegie net with the back side of his foot. Earlier in the play, forward Alexander Farr '12 won possession of the ball and eventually assisted Premo's 10th goal of the season.

Brandeis could not create any more offense in the remaining time and was outshot on the afternoon 23-5. O'Hare's 11 saves helped prevent Carnegie Mellon from breaking the game open.

"We just didn't have it today," Premo said. "And like every other UAA contest, we just don't bring it 100 percent. I don't know what it is, but we have one game left, and if we win or draw, we have a shot at [the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament], and if we lose, then the season's over."

The loss to Carnegie Mellon was the last regular-season home game captains Premo and defender Kevin Murphy '09 will play. They were recognized during pregame introductions for their career achievements.

"These are the best seniors we've had in years," Coven said. "They're four-year starters, members of the ECAC Championship team, great leaders, great kids, great people and great soccer players. I'm only going to lose two players next year, but they're special for us and very valuable."

Brandeis lost two players to injuries in the second half. Midfielder Kyle Gross '11 sat out the entire second half, and midfielder Patrick Metelus '10 injured his right foot in the 60th minute and did not return. The Judges were also without midfielder Jaime Batista '10, who Coven said missed the game due to an illness.

In Friday's game against Emory, Brandeis went into the second half tied with the undefeated Eagles, but rookie forward Ben Schlang put Emory on the board in the 53rd minute with his ninth goal of the season.

Lynch made nine saves during the night, including a diving stop on a penalty kick from senior midfielder Marc Del Marmol. Del Marmol, however, got his revenge when he knocked in his seventh goal of the season off a free kick by senior midfielder Joey Howie in the 86th minute.

"The second goal was inexcusable; we just let a guy in the box turn and shoot," Coven said. "They're the sixth-best team in the country. They start nine seniors and have experience. They're the best team we've played this year. I think we could've played them a little bit better. I'm disappointed, but that team could make a run for a national championship."

The Judges close out the season at New York University next Saturday. A win would give Brandeis its first victory in the UAA and qualify them for the ECAC tournament. The Judges can also qualify with a tie.

"I just want to win a UAA game and end on a good note," Coven said.