Scott BresslerWhat a difference a week makes.
Less than seven days after suffering a disappointing defeat on the road at Emory, the Wash. U. men’s soccer team rebounded over the weekend, posting two key league wins on the road at New York University and Brandeis, respectively.
The Red and Green defeated NYU in a Friday afternoon match-up in the Big Apple by a score of 2-1. They followed up that victory with a 2-0 thrashing over Brandeis in a Sunday matinee.
The pair of strong overall efforts by the Bears ensured that the race for the UAA title is again wide open. Wash. U.’s hopes of capturing a league title were helped enormously by Rochester’s upset win over Emory in double overtime Sunday.
The UAA now features a pair of teams with 3-1 league records in Wash. U. and Emory. Additionally, NYU and Case Wastern both check in with 2-2 records in the conference, while Rochester sits atop the UAA standings at 4-0.
Wash. U. 2, NYU 1
On Friday, the Bears were able to overcome a persistent NYU offense which significantly out-shot its UAA rival from the Midwest. The Violets had considerably more scoring opportunities than Wash. U., but Bears goalkeeper John Smelczer held steady in the net and ultimately led the 21st ranked visitors to a crucial league victory.
After a scoreless first half of play, sophomore John Hengel blasted home a pass from freshman Alex Neumann in the contest’s 47th minute to open the scoring for the guests. Hengel’s score would end up being the game winner.
Senior captain Elie Zenner found freshman Harry Beddo off a corner kick some 25 minutes later to give the Bears a 2-0 lead. The Violets tallied a late score when Branden Neal scored in the match’s 86th minute, but it was a case of too little, too late for NYU and Wash. U. held on for the win.
Wash. U. 2, Brandeis 1
On Sunday, Wash. U. took control from the start and never looked back, defeating the perennial league cellar-dweller Judges 2-0 and out-shooting their Boston hosts by a 22-10, including 13 of which went on net.
Junior midfielder Kellen Hayes tallied the Bears’ first goal of the game in the 29th minute. Classmate Eric Hill was credited with the assist. Sophomore Nat Zenner put home an unassisted score from some twenty yards out just six minutes into the second half to provide Wash. U. with some needed insurance.
Hengel, Zenner and Hayes now each have four goals on the season. Beddo, the rookie, leads the balanced Bears scoring attack with a team-high five scores.
The Bears now take a week off from UAA play and return to the pitch for a Friday night game against non-conference foe, Birmingham Southern. Game time is set for 7 P.M.
Get the low-down on the game and the plays tomorrow in right here on our website in Student Life’s @Press.