Nationally-Ranked Brandeis Tops Wellesley Soccer

WALTHAM, Mass. — Brandeis University junior forward Dara Spital had a hand in all three goals to match a career-high with five points tonight as the Judges defeated Wellesley College, 3-0, in a non-conference women's soccer matchup on Gordon Field. With the win, Brandeis improves to 6-1 on the season. The Judges are ranked No. 16 in the nation in Division III by the NSCAA, No. 17 by D3soccer.com. Wellesley falls to 3-6 with the loss.

Spital wasted little time in scoring the game-winning goal, knocking one home just 64 seconds into the contest, rookie back Jessica Morana  played a terrific through-ball that split two defenders. Released alone on the keeper, Spital chipped the ball over for her sixth goal of the season, momentarily tying her for the team lead. Morana's assist was her first collegiate point in just her second career start for the Judges.

Wellesley held Brandeis at bay the rest of the half, with junior goalkeeper Claire Cerda making three stops as the Judges outshot the Blue, 6-3, in the first 45 minutes. The hosts asserted their dominance in the second half, however, outshooting Wellesley, 12-0, and adding two more goals.

In the 62nd minute, the Judges added their first insurance goal when Spital put a beautiful cross on the head of classmate Sapir Edalati. Edalati buried it into the left side of the net for her seventh of the season, putting her atop the Judges' goal-scoring list - for the moment. Spital rejoined her atop the squad in the 87th-minute when she took Morana's throw-in, created space with a dribble into the box and blasted a left-footed strike for her seventh of the season and the 21st of her career. It was her sixth career multi-goal game.

Wellesley's best chance to score came in the 10th-minute, when Lena Cardoso's shot was saved by Brandeis keeper, Michelle Savuto.

Cerda finished with seven saves and two goals allowed in the losing effort. Sophomore Kat Goldsmith played the final 17 minutes with one save and one goal allowed. Brandeis' Savuto recorded her fourth shutout of the season with one save. The win was the fourth in a row and the 11th in the last 12 meetings for the Judges against the Blue.

Brandeis returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bowdoin College. Wellesley next hosts Cedar Crest College Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will serve as Homecoming for the Blue.