WALTHAM, Mass. - Brandeis University sophomore midfielder/forward Mimi Theodore (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) recorded her first collegiate hat trick today, leading the Judges past the visiting Clark University Cougars, 5-1, in a non-conference women's soccer matchup.

Brandeis (4-1-2) opened the scoring midway through the first half in the 27^th minute. Junior forward Tiffany Pacheco (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth Regional) took space after a ball was left for her by senior forward Melissa Gorenkoff (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset). Pacheco split two defenders and dribbled into the box. She fed the ball to Theodore, who chipped the ball over Cougar senior netminder Joanna Clark (Windham, Maine/Windham). Brandeis finished the half outshooting Clark, 12-4, but were only able to take the one-goal lead into the break.

The Judges scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with exactly 30 minutes left in regulation. Pacheco notched her team-leading fourth goal of the season on a nice give-and-go with sophomore midfielder Ali Theodore (Walpole, Mass./Walpole), Mimi's twin sister.

Clark (3-3) turned up their pressure in the next minute, and the Cougars' hard work in the offensive zone paid off at the 61:07 mark when Brandeis was called for a hand-ball in the box. Clark junior midfielder Laura Hedden (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) shot the ensuing penalty kick to her left, beating Brandeis senior goalkeeper Hillary Rosenzweig (Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River).

The Judges scored three goals in the final 10:31 of the contest to put the game away. Sophomore midfielder Alanna Torre (Weston, Fla./America Heritage School) headed home a Pacheco corner kick at 79:29 to push the lead back to two goals. Mimi Theodore and Gorenkoff combined on the final two goals. The first came at 80:40 on a long ball by Gorenkoff from midfield that Theodore one-touched home, and she completed the hat trick at the 86:03 mark by heading home a Gorenkoff cross.

Brandeis outshot Clark, 25-11, for the game. Rosenzweig earned the win with six saves, though the penalty kick denied her the opportunity to move into a first-place tie on the Judges' all-time shutout list. Joanna Clark had seven stops in the losing effort for the Cougars. The win was the 247^th of the career of Brandeis women's soccer coach Denise Dallamora, who is looking to become the 15^th coach in Division III women's soccer history and the second coaching in New England to reach the 250-win plateau.

The Judges, who have now outscored their opponents 16-3 at home, are next in action on Thursday when they travel to Gordon College at 3:30 p.m. Clark hosts Keene State on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

BOX SCORE