ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Brandeis University softball team won its 2008 UAA opener today, as sophomore Allie Mussen (Franklin Square, N.Y.) smacked a walk-off home run in the seventh inning to lift the Judges past Case Western Reserve University, 3-1, in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Brandeis (3-0, 1-0 UAA) got on the board in the fourth inning with an unearned run. Sophomore SS Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice and moved to third base on a single up the middle by senior pitcher Kaitlin Streilein (Point Pleasant, N.J.). Korp then scored on a passed ball.

Case (6-3, 0-1 UAA) answered in the top of the sixth when sophomore infielder Katie Svilar (Orange Village, Ohio) singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and then stole home. Svilar finished one-for-three with a run scored. Sophomore catcher Chelsea Poelking (Brecksville, Ohio) and freshman infielder Anneliese Fetterman (Cupertino, Calif.) were the only other two Spartans with a hit.

In the bottom of the seventh for the Judges, rookie 3B Danielle Lavallee (Sutton, Mass.) singled through the left side with one away. After rookie 1B Courtney Kelley (Leicester, Mass.) struck out, Mussen answered with her fourth career home run to left-center field, giving the Judges the victory. She made a winner out of Streilein, who tossed a complete-game three-hitter, walking two and striking out six to improve to 2-0 on the season. Mussen's round-tripper was the only extra-base hit of the game for the Judges.