The Brandeis University women's soccer team performed well in both of its games this weekend. Ranked No. 12 nationally in women's NCAA Division III programs, according to the National Collegiate Soccer Coaches' Association of America's preseason rankings, the Brandeis Judges proved that they can defeat challenging opponents and handle weaker ones.

After defeating No. 15 Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a close encounter on Friday night, the Judges kept their good fortune going on Sunday, downing Clark University to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

In its second game on Sept. 1, Brandeis thrashed the Cougars in a 6-0 rout.

There were many moments in the match that featured quality play, which was perhaps epitomized by two-goal games from forwards Holly Szafran '16 and Dara Spital '15. Additionally, Szafran dished out two assists, and she led the team with six points on the day.

Brandeis sat most of its starters after the first half, including goalkeeper Michelle Savuto '15, who didn't have much to do as a result of the majority of pressure being in the Judges' attacking half.

And when the Cougars were able to get forward, they found themselves continually frustrated by Brandeis' superior defense, which allowed just one shot from the visitors. However, that shot was not on goal.

Undoubtedly, Brandeis allowing just one shot is the most impressive statistic generated by this top-quality performance. However, there are some more statistics that will have made coach Denise Dallamora quite pleased with her team: Brandeis launched 29 shots by 15 different players, which gives a clear indication that the team possesses talent in its reserves as well as its starting lineup.

Additionally, the team put together 15 shots on goal by nine players, and five of the six goals were assisted by four different players.

However, Dallamora was probably even happier that she got to dip deep in her reserves because of the nature of the result-she was able to play almost all of her players at one point or another in the match.

She was beaming about her team's performance following the rout, saying that the squad "just played great soccer and really demontrasted good teamwork and communication. We've been working hard from preseason until now, and the girls have continued to put it together."

In the interest of secrecy, Dallamora declined to answer exactly what her game plan is, but said that her Judges will use the same plan if it continues working.

While the Judges' performance was superlative, they were helped by the visitors' profligacy in multiple areas.

Clark wasted most of its possessions by inaccurate passes, having to kick balls out of bounds because it could not handle Brandeis' high pressure, and overall sloppy play.

This was epitomized by striker Cidney Moscovitch '17, who blocked a pass by a Clark defender.

Having taken advantage of the miscue, she possessed the ball, raced in on goal and finished the shot to give the Judges a comfortable 4-0 advantage at the break, much to the delight of the crowd at Gordon Field.

Despite the fact that Brandeis' game against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology resulted with a win, the Judges were not as dominant in that game.

Of course, the visiting Engineers are only three spots behind the Judges, in the NSCAA's preseason rankings, so it wasn't surprising that it took all that Brandeis had both offensively and defensively to emerge victorious.

Spital wasted no time making her presence known, testing the MIT defense with a shot just 14 seconds into the game.
And much like she did time and time again last year, the All-American notched the game's only goal, which came in the 21st minute.

Having beaten a couple of defenders with some fancy footwork in midfield, she scored a highlight-reel goal, blasting a left-footed strike from 25 yards that curled into the top corner past Engineers freshman goalie Lauren Ullman, drawing a raucous applause from the home fans.

Although Brandeis outshot MIT in the first half, MIT turned up the heat after the break, outshooting Brandeis 11-2.
It took all Savuto had to not concede a goal, making seven saves and enduring a barrage of shots in the second half.

However, that statistic was slightly misleading, as most of these shots came in the beginning of the second half.
Brandeis held MIT to just two shots in the final 18 minutes of the game.

Having played their first two contests at home, Brandeis will be away for its next game. The Judges will travel to Lasell College Saturday, and will host opponents Bridgewater State University on Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Bates College Sunday, Sept. 15.