The men's soccer squad, after securing a thrilling 1-0 victory over Vassar College in last weekend's second-round NCAA Division III match, looked to carry its momentum to Amherst College in a match against No. 9 Williams College. Although the men fought with lockdown defense and a relentless attack, Williams came away with a 1-0 regulation victory, knocking the Judges out of the tournament and ending the team's strongest season since 1985.

Coach Michael Coven noted that the Judges played very well on the field, but that Williams was able to break down Brandeis' strategy.

"I thought we were the better team," he said. "They were a little more athletic and physical than we were. Knew that we liked to possess the ball. Broke us down a little bit."

Williams senior goalkeeper Than Finan already had his work cut out for him in the third minute of what proved to be a back-and-forth affair. Midfielder Sam Ocel '13 sent in a header to cross the ball, which deflected off a Williams defender, forcing Finan to make a diving save to prevent an own goal.

Williams continued to apply offensive pressure, but by the 11th minute, the action shifted to the other side of the field as senior forward Patrick Ebobisse ripped a one-timer in the air which he received off of a well-placed through ball right outside the 18-yard box. Goalkeeper Blake Minchoff '13 made a lunging save, ultimately keeping the Judges in a scoreless draw.

Midfielder Kyle Feather '14 helped to shift the offensive momentum back to the Judges' side of the pitch, charging down the field on a counterattack, which soon turned into a breakaway. Feather, though, was deliberately tripped inches outside the 18-yard box, resulting in a 20-yard free kick. The free kick was taken by Ocel, who fired the ball just wide of the post.

Two minutes later, the Judges had yet another offensive opportunity, as forward Tyler Savonen '15 sent a perfectly placed cross to Ocel right in the middle of the 18-yard box, who fired the shot just inches above the crossbar.

The game continued to be a hard fought battle, as the Judges pursued a high-powered attack. The offensive combination of Ebobisse and freshman forward Mohammed Rashid also caused many close calls for Brandeis' defense. Center back Joe Eisenbeis '13, particularly, stopped several key balls, keeping the Judges in the game. The sides ultimately ended the half with four shots apiece, keeping action on the wings and in the midfield.

Center back Matt Brondoli '14 and midfielder Robbie Lynch '15 helped to preserve the draw with several key tackles.

The deadlock continued to kick off the second half until the 63rd minute. Rashid found a loose ball and then raced to the box, sending a well-placed cross to Ebobisee, who then fired the ball at the bottom left corner of the net to put Williams ahead 1-0. That fateful goal proved to be the game-winner that sealed the Judges' fate.

The Judges, now needing a goal to keep their postseason hopes alive, began to create a plethora of offensive opportunities. However, they were unable to get past the lockdown defense of senior defender Matt Ratajczak and junior defender Dan Lima, who stopped nearly all of the Judges' offensive chances as the final whistle drew closer and closer.

The Judges had one of its last, and possibly best, chances of the night in the 81st minute when a bouncing ball landed in the path of forward Lee Russo '13 deep inside the 18-yard box. He had an open opportunity for a close range shot. However, Finan charged out from the net and claimed the ball just before Russo could get the shot off.

With just 40 seconds left on the clock, the Judges were awarded a corner kick, giving the team one last chance to stay alive. Russo sent the corner in to Ocel, who got a head on it, but Finan was there to make the save.

As the game wound down, Lima accidently gave up a handball with 17 seconds left on the clock, giving the Judges one last opportunity to continue to rewrite the history books. Russo took the free kick, but Finan was there yet again, making the save and icing the ball for the win.

The seniors of the team-Eisenbeis, Minchoff, and Russo-finished their careers at Brandeis with 61 wins, two ECAC championships and the squad's first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1985. Ocel, who was injured as a sophomore, will return to play for the team next year as a graduate student.

Coven was quick to reflect on the memorable season he had as coach of the 2012 men's soccer squad.

"Sometimes you get lucky as a coach, but everything falls into place," he said. "This team from day one was together and made to succeed."

However, Coven is already looking ahead to prospects for next season.

"The minute the game was over I was recruiting," he said. "We lost Blake [Minchoff], Lee [Russo] and Joe [Eisenbies] but we look good in terms of what we've got coming back for the squad."

The expectations will certainly be high for this resurgent men's soccer team in 2013.
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