WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University women's soccer senior back Rachel Watler (Stevenson Ranch, Calif./West Ranch) scored the game's lone goal in the 30^th minute to lift the 23^rd-ranked Judges over visiting Lesley University, 1-0, in a non-conference contest on Gordon Field tonight.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 7-1, ranked #23 in Division III by the United Soccer Coaches.
• Lesley, 3-3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game's lone goal came in the 30^th minute. Sophomore Ali Pennella (Stamford, Conn./Greenwich) was taken down about 35 yards from goal, just to the left of the net. Watler took the free kick and rocketed into the back right of the goal.
• It was her fourth goal of the season and of her career.
• With her four goals and UAA-leading seven assists this season, Watler is tied for the team lead and second in the UAA with 15 points.
• The Brandeis defense took over from there, allowing Lesley just one off-target shot for the entire game.
• The Judges had a couple of chances to score an insurance goal in the second half. Sophomore Tanvi Raju (Hyderabad, India/Indus International School) hit a post in the 72^nd minute. In the 82^nd minute, Lesley's Madison Reed came off her line to deny Brandeis graduate student Sydney Lenhart (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic).
• Reed finished with four saves for the Lynx, while Brandeis senior Hannah Bassan (Aventura, Fla./NSU University School) was untested for the Judges.
• The Judges finished with a 19-1 shooting advantage and a 10-0 lead in corner kicks.
• With the win, Brandeis is off to its best start since 2018, when the Judges went 8-0 to start the campaign.

UP NEXT

• The Judges will meet Trinity (Conn.) College on Saturday at noon in Brandeis's annual Homecoming match.