The glass slipper could only fit for so long.

The most successful season in team history ended last Sunday for the women's soccer team, as the Judges fell 2-0 to No. 10 Misericordia University. The loss to the Cougars ended the Judges' run at the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Tournament, just one day after defeating SUNY Cortland 2-1 in the Sweet 16. It was the team's furthest-ever advancement through the tournament, and as icing on the cake, Brandeis' 16-5-2 record tied a school mark for wins in a season.

"I am extremely thrilled," coach Denise Dallamora said of the team's season. "We're a very good team, but we were hoping to make nationals, I don't think we were ever expecting to win three games once we got there. We had a great year."

Misericordia struck early in the Elite Eight matchup, as sophomore midfielders Erin McGreal and Megan Lannigan combined to get the Cougars on the board just three minutes, 32 seconds into the first half. A cross from the right flank by McGreal found a streaking Lannigan at the back post. Lannigan then powered it home for her 10th goal of the season.

The teams battled back and forth for the rest of the half, with forward Dara Spital '15 coming closest to a breakthrough. Five minutes before halftime, Brandeis' leading goal scorer weaved through the Misericordia defense before clanking a shot off of the post.

The Cougars took over in the second half, outshooting the Judges 8-1 the rest of the way. Misericordia's second tally came on a set piece from just outside of Brandeis' 18-yard box. Senior forward Laura Roney stepped up and drilled a laser into the bottom corner of the net to double the Cougars' lead.
"I think we were all exhausted from yesterday's game, midfielder Sara Isaacson '16 said in an email to the Justice. "They were all over us the entire game, and we just couldn't find our rhythm like they did. We got close a few times but unfortunately couldn't find the back of the net."

The Judges looked fresh, though, right out of the gate against SUNY Cortland, scoring two first-half goals. As she had all season, Spital led the way, tallying her 13th and 14th goals.

In the 13th minute, Spital scored her first career NCAA Tournament goal, collecting a rebound and slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the Red Dragons' net. In the 25th minute, it was Spital again, this time climbing high to head home a cross from midfielder Mary Shimko '14. The goal proved to be Spital's eighth game-winner this season, tying a Brandeis record.

"Spital is a phenomenal player," Dallamora said. "She played great, and she's been instrumental in some key games for us."

"She has been amazing for us this season," added Isaacson. "She works so hard 100 percent of the time, which makes everyone else on the team want to work just as hard."

The Judges held tough until the final moments of the game. As the Red Dragons desperately attempted to claw their way back into the game, junior forward Kelly Knight cut the deficit in half with a drive that deflected in, off of the bottom of the crossbar. That would be as close as the Red Dragons would get, though, as the Judges closed out their first-ever victory in the Sweet 16.

The Judges finished the season with 16 wins just one year after finishing with a 6-11-2 mark and graduating six senior starters. Instead of another season in transition, the Judges finished just one win away from a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

"All last fall I followed the team, so I'm not going to lie I was a bit nervous for what this season had in store," Isaacson admitted before entering Brandeis.

"But during preseason, you could tell this year was going to be completely different than last year. Everybody came into preseason ready to go and was so excited to make a name for ourselves."

The end of the team's historic run also closed the careers of the squad's two seniors, goalkeeper Francine Kofinas and midfielder Zoe Siegel.

The two end their careers with 47 wins and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

"We're going to miss both seniors," Dallamora said.

"Both have tremendous heart and great character. We're going to really miss their leadership and a lot of the intangibles that they brought to the table."

On the other hand, the team's youth-Brandeis' typical starting 11 this season featured five first- years and three sophomores-allows plenty of room for further growth for the 2013 squad.

"The experience was great for them," Dallamora said of her underclassmen-heavy squad.

"I saw my team just get better and better and really improve. We played solid teams under pressure. They've just been phenomenal and I'm really proud of them."

"We have some big goals to accomplish in the future for Brandeis women's soccer," Isaacson added, before closing with a bold prediction. "We're going to Texas next year."

After a spectacular run, and with 10 starters and every goal scorer on the roster returning, Isaacson may prove correct.
However, one thing is for sure.

Next year's squad won't be a Cinderella story. Brandeis women's soccer has put its name on the map for 2013 and beyond.