WALTHAM, Mass. - Brandeis University withstood the early offensive attack by Wesleyan University and took the lead late in the first half, but the Cardinals scored three times in the second half to defeat the Judges, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in a non-conference men's collegiate soccer match at Gordon Field.
Wesleyan took the first seven shots of the match, highlighted by a blast from Yousuf Saeed that hit off the right post in the 26th minute. In the 34th minute, Brandeis made its first scoring chance count, as first-year Aidan Chuang (New York, N.Y./MIlton (Mass.) Acad,) kicked a crossing pass from the right side of the field and sophomore Nico Beninda (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) sent a diving header into the net to give the Judges a 1-0 lead. The goal was Beninda's first of the season.
The Cardinals threatened to tie the match within the last three minutes of the first half as Niall Fergus took three shots, but all of them were off-target. In the 53rd minute, Wesleyan received a penalty kick opportunity after the Judges took down a player within the 18-yard box, and Lucas Ruehlemann converted the chance to tie the contest.
Wesleyan took the lead for good in the 64th minute as Ruehlemann redirected a crossing pass from Chris Porte into the net. The Cardinals would add an insurance goal in the 74th minute as Will Martin (Washington, D.C.) collected the rebound from a Dane Harmaty shot and sent it into the net before Brandeis goalie junior Quintin Wrabley (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) could recover from making the initial save.
Wrabley finished with two saves, as did Wesleyan keeper Mathis Blanc. The Cardinals outshot the Judges, 18-7, with Porte and Fergus taking three shots apiece to lead their squad. Senior Sancho Maroto Tobias (Acton, Mass./Lexington) led Brandeis with three shots of his own.
Brandeis (1-2-2) hosts Wheaton Wednesday, Sept. 20, starting at 7 p.m. Wesleyan (2-0-1) travels to face Springfield College Tuesday, Sept. 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
