After posting consecutive nonconference wins against Springfield College and Lasell College two weeks ago, the men's soccer team posted a loss and a draw last week in two hard-fought home games against University Athletic Association opponents No. 9 Washington University in St. Louis and No. 7 University of Chicago. After a 1-0 loss to WashU, the Judges played to a scoreless tie against Chicago last Sunday, giving them a 6-9-2 record on the year and a 1-4-1 mark in UAA play.In the game against Chicago, the Judges battled hard against one of the top teams in the UAA. Despite being outshot 19-12, Brandeis had several opportunities to come away with the win.

In regulation, defenseman Matt Hohtmann '11 had the Judges' best opportunity to score. In the second half, Hohtmann put a header on target off of a corner kick, but Chicago sophomore goalie Chris Guisto barely pushed the shot over the crossbar.

The Judges salvaged the draw despite playing down a man for the last 15 minutes of the match as midfielder Kyle Gross '11 was given a second yellow card in the 95th minute.

The Maroons took advantage of the extra man and controlled play much of the second overtime but were unable to knock in the game winner. Brandeis goalkeeper Matt Lynch '11 made two saves, including a diving kick save that barely pushed the ball outside of the post.

Overall, Lynch had 11 saves, a career high for him. The shutout was his third of the year and second in UAA action.

Coach Mike Coven noted how important his goalkeeper's play was in keeping the team in the game over the last few contests.

"[Lynch] played very well for us and has really come into his own over the last four games," Coven said. "The mental aspect of goalkeeping is very important, and he has matured into a great keeper and is playing wonderfully."

Despite playing a man down, forward Corey Bradley '10 had two shots that just missed the net in the second overtime.

"Bradley played very well," Coven said. "He got two great opportunities in the 18-yard box and pushed one just wide and one just high, but he was really making plays for us tonight."

In the game against WashU, the Judges went up against one of the most talented teams in the conference.

In the 13th minute, a Brandeis defender was whistled for a handball in the box.

Coven thought the call was questionable as the ball took an awkward bounce at the last second but still resulted in a penalty against the Judges.

"[The call] could have gone either way," Coven said.

As a result, WashU senior John Hengel knocked the ball past Lynch to put the Bears ahead.

From then on, the Judges dominated much of the game. Brandeis outshot WashU 14-12 for the game and also had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

"We did a lot of things right, we just didn't score," Coven said.

The Judges' two best opportunities came in the second half. Both Bradley and midfielder Mike Silberstein '10 put well-struck shots on goal, but both were corralled by Washington senior keeper John Smelcer. Smelcer finished with two saves on the night.

In both contests, the Brandeis defense allowed the team to stay in contention.

The group of Hohtmann, Nick Howard '11, David McCoy '12, Ari Silver '12 and Matt Hauser '13 helped deflect much of the pressure off of Lynch.

"The group has been really playing well for the past few weeks," Coven said. "They've become quite adept at starting counterattacks for us and made a lot of great plays."

The Judges will close out the season Saturday with a home match against rival New York University at 11 a.m.