Rochester, N.Y.--Brandeis came up just short yesterday in their second conference game of the year.  The 15th ranked Judges (8-2-1, 1-1 in conference) were bested, 1-0, by the University of Rochester Yellowjackets (8-3-1, 1-1 in conference). This was the Judges' first loss since their season opener against MIT, ending their seven game winning streak.

Early in the first half, in the 12th minute, sophomore goalie Francine Kofinas (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West) made her second of six saves for the game.  Rochester's Kirsten Ross hit a long ball from the left wing over Kofinas' head. But Kofinas was able to scramble back, dive and pull it over the line before it rolled in.

In the 14th minute, senior forward Sofia Vallone got through to take a shot from the top of the box. The shot was saved by Rochester goalie, Bridget Lang.  In the 17th minute, Lang tripped senior forward Tiffany Pacheco(Rehoboth, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth Reg) just outside the goal.  Vallone's free kick hit the post for a rebound by freshman midfielder Madeline Stein (Mount Kisco, N.Y./Fox Lane), which was saved by the keeper.

The game winner was scored in the 63rd minute by Rochester's Bridgette Varin, her sixth of the season.

In the 86th minute, junior midfielder Mimi Theodore (Walpole, Mass./Walpole)  played a long ball from midfield down the right side to find junior Alanna Torre ( Weston, FL/American Heritage School) with a breakaway.  Torre shot across the goalmouth, missing the game tying goal by just a few yards.

Brandeis is currently ranked second in the UAA, beind University of Chicago.

The Yellowjackets next game is against the Univeristy of Chicago on Friday, October 15, at Rochester.  The Judges take on the Carnegie Mellon Tartans on October 15th, at Brandeis.