Despite outshooting its opposition 14-9, the men's soccer team was unable to find the back of the net and fell 1-0 to New York University in New York. The Judges fought back and forth with the 21st-ranked NYU Violets throughout the game, but a late goal spoiled Brandeis' season finale. With the result, Brandeis finishes the regular season on a three-game losing streak and with a record of 9-7-1 overall and 1-4-1 in University Athletic Association play.Still, the Judges' fast start at the beginning of the season earned the team a berth in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships, and they will take on Albertus Magnus College at 6 p.m. Wednesday night on Gordon Field.

"Expectations are pretty high for [the ECACs]," Luke Teece '12 said. "I think we've shown that we can play with anyone this year."

Six of the Judges' seven losses this season were by one goal, including four of their five defeats in UAA play. NYU gains the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. Brandeis was eliminated from NCAA Division III tournament contention due to its UAA record. "You have to score goals to win," coach Michael Coven said. "We defended well, and our goalkeeping was good, but against the better teams they shut us down. This season against [Washington University in St. Louis] and [the University of Chicago], they beat us like that. You have to score goals."

The Judges outshot NYU in both halves and came out of the gate running. In the second minute, Joe Eisenbies '13 fired a shot on frame that NYU senior goalkeeper Matt Stevie parried away. Brandeis midfielder Kyle Feather '14 scooped up the rebound but his shot sailed high.

Despite having an edge in shots, NYU created the more lethal opportunities. In the 20th minute, sophomore midfielder Kyle Green found space in the penalty area and headed a cross on frame. However, Green's header came off the crossbar, keeping the match level at zero.

Brandeis answered and nearly scored 9 minutes later as forward Alexander Farr '12 countered in the 29th minute. Farr unloaded a shot on frame that was cleared off the line by freshman midfielder Chris Ramirez. The last chance of the half came from the Judges, as captain and midfielder Kyle Gross '11 found enough space to shoot at goal. Gross' effort flew wide of Stevie's goal to end the scoreless first half.

Gross nearly scored in the 58th minute of the second half, but his shot went wide right of Stevie's goal.

Though Brandeis had opportunities, NYU broke through first and ended the gridlock. In the 79th minute, Green played a through ball into the Brandeis defense that goalkeeper Taylor Bracken '11 chased. NYU junior midfielder Adam Fein ran onto the pass before Bracken could clear it and chipped the ball into the back of the net.

"The NYU player got to the ball before [Bracken]," Coven said. "It was the decision of [Bracken] to come out, and unfortunately he didn't get the ball. It was the keeper's decision, and unfortunately, it didn't go Taylor's way. NYU essentially scored on an open net." Fein's goal was the first of his college career and ended up being the game winner, despite Brandeis pressure in the waning minutes of the game.

In the 84th minute, midfielder Lee Russo '13 fired a chance on frame, but Stevie made the save to preserve his shutout. Just 5 minutes later, Brandeis attempted to respond again as midfielder Theo Terris '12 received a cross in the box and headed a goal on frame. Terris' effort was caught by Stevie, keeping his clean sheet intact.

Brandeis earned the fourth seed in the ECAC tournament. They will take on fifth-seeded Albertus Magnus, who finished the season at 15-5-1 overall. The two teams have not faced each other since 2006, a match that Brandeis won 6-0. Bracken, the only current player who has faced the Falcons, kept a clean sheet in his 54 minutes in goal.

Brandeis and Albertus Magnus had only one mutual opponent this season; they both played Lasell College on the road. The Falcons drew Lasell 2-2 on Oct. 16, while the Judges defeated the Lasers 2-0 9 days later.

Albertus Magnus assistant coach Frank Raio '83 played defender for the Judges and had 18 goals and 13 assists in his career. Raio was inducted to the Brandeis Hall of Fame in March 2006.



-Jeffrey Boxer contributed
reporting.