Just like it had in their quarterfinal and semifinal matches, the women's soccer team jumped ahead of its opponent in the first period of the Eastern College Athletic Conference championship game against No. 4 University of New England last Sunday. Forward Melissa Gorenkoff '10 dribbled around the goalie box and hit a shot into the lower left corner of the net to give the Judges an early 2-0 lead in the 28th minute. Sixty-two minutes and 15 University of New England shots later, the Judges had their second straight ECAC Division III New England title.

Gorenkoff's goal, her fourth of the tournament, proved to be the game-winner as the Judges defeated the Nor'easters 3-1 to win the title. The win came after a 3-0 triumph over Emmanuel College in the semifinals last Saturday and a 4-0 victory over St. Joseph's (Conn.) College last Wednesday.

"We've just been working hard all year," defender Meredith Milstein '09 said. "As the season comes to a close, everything really fell together."

Gorenkoff's performance in the three games earned her the tournament Most Valuable Player award. Her four goals in the three games matched her total in the 19 regular-season games in which she played.

"[Gorenkoff] really stepped up in the tournament," coach Denise Dallamora said. "She had two goals [last Saturday, and] she had a goal and assist [last Sunday]. . She took her game to another level, which is great to see."

The Judges struck first in the fourth minute of the championship contest, when midfielder Mimi Theodore '12 tapped in Gorenkoff's crossing pass. Gorenkoff's goal 24 minutes later gave the Judges a 2-0 advantage.

Brandeis' third goal of the half came in the 43rd minute, when forward Tiffany Pacheco '11 forced a turnover and passed the ball to midfielder Alanna Torre '12, who shot it in for her third goal of the year.

While the Judges took 13 shots in the first half compared to just five for the University of New England, the Nor'easters never quit. The University of New England fired 14 attempts in the second half against just five for the Judges. But Brandeis' defense held tough, not giving up a goal until the 82nd minute.

That goal was the first the Judges surrendered during the tournament. It was also the first time their opponent attempted more shots during a game than they did. In the quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed St. Joseph's (Conn.) College and the semifinal matchup against No. 6 seed Emmanuel College, the Judges outshot their opponents by a combined margin of 66-14.

Brandeis entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and hosted their first two games because they were seeded higher than their opponents. After No. 1 seed Keene State College lost to University of New England in the semifinal round, Brandeis hosted the championship game as well.

"It was really important for us to have home field," Milstein said. "We won [the ECAC tournament] last year on our home field, and it gave us a greater sense [of] pride."

Gorenkoff and forward Kaitlin Oldfield '12 led the way in the semifinal win over Emmanuel. Gorenkoff scored the team's first two goals, and Oldfield scored the third while also getting an assist on Gorenkoff's first goal. Goalie Hillary Rosenzweig '10 made three saves for her second straight shutout and ninth of the season, which tied a school record.

"I thought we peaked at the right time this season," Dallamora said. "We have been steadily playing better and better and better, and this tournament [we played] some of the best soccer we've played all season."

In the quarterfinal win over St. Joseph's, Gorenkoff began her MVP performance with a goal and an assist in the first half. Oldfield added a goal and an assist in the second half, giving Brandeis a four-goal lead by the 80th minute.

Milstein is the Judges' only senior this season. With a group of youngsters that included 16 rookies this season, Gorenkoff said the team may have the potential to make the NCAA Tournament next year.

"I think that we have a young team," Gorenkoff said. "So we have good chances to make [the NCAA Tournament].