The Brandeis University women's soccer team continues to impress, securing two impressive wins at home. After moving up to No. 10 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Poll following their 3-0 start, the team is looking at another bump up in the rankings after yet another slate of victories, downing Bridgewater State University and Bates College on Tuesday and Sunday, respectively, by identical scorelines of 3-0.

"I think we definitely got better as the game went on," said forward Dara Spital '15, who notched an assist in both games, after Sunday's victory. "We started working as a team. It was definitely a better showing than the last game," she said.

Brandeis and Bates played an even game for much of the first half, a period of play defined by hard fought battles for the ball and minimal opportunities for either team.

Yet, the Judges just had too much speed on the wings of the field, and it showed when the Judges scored their first goal. In the 35th minute, forward Cidney Moscovitch '17 received a pass from midfielder Melissa Darling '16, who then raced down the right side of the field to score over the outstretched arms of Bates senior goalkeeper Anabel Schmelz. While Schmelz secured a career-high 12 saves on the day, it was the goal from Moscovitch that would define her afternoon.

Despite the first-half goal, the game was far from over. Bates held their own in the second half, keeping the ball away from their side of the pitch. The Judges came out with some extra motivation, though, to increase the lead and put away the visiting Bates team. The Brandeis women increasingly won possession, quickly advanced down the pitch, and put intense pressure on the Bates defense.

The women's offensive persistence paid off quickly in the second half, as they scored two consecutive goals in the 54th and 57th minutes of the match. The first of the two was scored when a shot by Spital caromed off a number of defenders and landed in front of forward Sapir Edalati '15, who chipped the ball into the goal. Meanwhile, the second came when midfielder Mary Shimko '14 snuck a goal past Schmelz to record her first goal of the young season.

The Judges cruised from that point on, sensing victory was in their sight. Many of the starters were subbed out with 10 minutes left in the match.

While Bates responded with some sustained offense toward the end of the match, the effort proved to be too late. The day for the Bates women was exemplified by a late shot on goal by Bates junior forward Dakota Donovan that caromed off the top of the cross bar. This allowed goalkeeper Michelle Savuto '15 to record her fourth shutout in the five games that the women have played this season, highlighting the squad's impressive defensive performance.

When asked about the strong start to the season, midfielder Alyssa Fenenbock '15 stated she was impressed with the team's progress, but believes they can continue to persist.
"We're getting better and stronger and more fluid, as opposed to getting complacent because we talk about that every day-how we can't let up just because we're 10th in the country right now and how we want to be better," she said.

On Tuesday, the Judges shut out Bridgewater State University in a game where the Judges took a while to get going.

In the first half of the game, the visiting Bears appeared to be dictating the pace, and almost opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game. Awarded a direct kick 25 yards out, Bridgwater State sophomore forward Mackenzie Hatfield sent a high shot on net, which goalSavuto did well to tip over the bar. Despite being out-possessed, the visitors led the attempts category with six shots on goal, all of which were stopped by Savuto.

Yet, the Brandeis women took control in the second half and were able to put the game away. Edalati slotted home two goals 10 minutes apart-in the 48th and 58th minutes, respectively- while Darling secured the third and final goal in the 67th minute, launching an impressive outside-of-the-foot lob over sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Yowell into the net.

The team will look to extend its winning streak at Gordon College at home this Wednesday followed by a match versus Wellesley College on Tuesday, Sept. 24.