The women's soccer team ended its four-game losing streak but was unable to put together a winning streak of its own during a mixed week. The Judges lost in agonizing fashion at Lasell College last Thursday after cruising past Gordon College last Tuesday, leaving the team at 3-5 overall.

Though Brandeis ended the week with a loss, midfielder Mimi Theodore '12 was unfazed by the team's recent rough stretch.

"We just need to take each game one step at a time," she said. "We are going to be switching some things up for the next couple of games, which will hopefully prove to be good for us."

The Judges, coming off a win against Gordon that snapped Brandeis' losing streak, entered Taylor Field at Lasell last Thursday looking to start their own winning streak. In the first 45 minutes, neither side could find the goal. The Judges narrowly outshot Lasell 6-5 in the first half and generated more shots on target, but three saves from Lasell senior goalie Elizabeth Stickley kept the score level. The second half began with much of the same—a few shots and chances on both sides—but neither team could find the net.

After 72 minutes of play, Lasell finally put a goal in the net. Lassell sophomore forward Sam Peck intercepted a poor Brandeis pass and sprinted down the field, cutting between two defenders. She fired the ball over goalie Michelle Savuto '15 for the score.

Brandeis responded with a goal of its own just 10 minutes later. Forward Hilary Andrews '14 headed in a corner from midfielder Alyssa Fenenbock '15 in the 82nd minute. The goal was Andrews' first of the season, and Fenenbock earned her first point in a Brandeis uniform.

One minute later, Peck had another chance to score, this time drawing a penalty shot in the 83rd minute. Lasell sophomore forward Jamie Harris was called upon to attempt the penalty, but she could not convert, thanks to a tremendous save from Savuto. Savuto saved two rebound shots as well, and the Judges forced overtime.

Theodore said that she was happy with the team's play overall, but said that they needed to improve at the net.

"We need to improve on finishing," she said. "We have controlled play throughout. However, we have been unsuccessful because we haven't been able to find the back of the net."

The first overtime was reminiscent of the first half, as both sides had their chances, but neither team could convert. However, Lasell ended the game early in the second overtime on a goal from Harris in the 105th minute. Harris beat her defender, found space in front and hit the ball over Savuto's head for the win.

"It was really tough," said Theodore. "It is disappointing to know we could have come out with a win had we had taken advantage on some of the opportunities we had."

"The loss was very tough," added coach Denise Dallamora. "We had our chances, but did not come through. There were a couple of defensive lapses at the end."

The Judges started the week on the road at Gordon. After starting the season at 3-0, the Judges entered the game against the Fighting Scots on a four game losing streak. However, Brandeis took an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute with an own goal from a Gordon defender, and never looked back.

The Judges pelted Gordon with eight more attempts in the first half, but none found the net, and Gordon entered halftime down just one goal.

Brandeis quickly doubled its lead in the second half, with a goal just four minutes into play. Defender Ali Maresca '12 headed in a corner from defender Alec Spivack '15 for her first goal of the year and third of her career. In the process, Spivack earned her first point in her collegiate career. The Judges added to their tally when defender Kelly Peterson ‘14 drilled in a direct kick from 35-yards out to put Brandeis up 3-0 in the 54th minute and put the Judges firmly in control.

Gordon had a few scoring opportunities, however, including a goal in the 65th minute from junior midfielder Karina Scavo, who scored on a direct kick. Brandeis, however, tightened up its defense, and the game ended 3-1.

Despite a mixed week, Theodore was pleased that many of the team's underclassman played prominent roles.

"Each game and practice, [the underclassmen] continue to work hard and are really contributing to the team. [Spivack] has done a great job playing everywhere on the field. She really is a reliable player who has really stepped up in the past couple of games."

The Judges next host Wellesley College tonight at 7 p.m.