From Brandeis University Athletics
For the third year in a row, the Brandeis University men's soccer team has qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament. The Judges, who posted a 17-2 record in the regular season and earned an at-large berth to the tournament, will once again host the first two rounds. (FULL BRACKET)
Brandeis, which went finished second in the University Athletic Association (UAA) at 5-2, will take on North Athletic Conference (NAC) champions Husson University (13-7) on November 15 at 5 p.m. The other first-round game to be played at Gordon Field will pit 10-3-6 College at Brockport and 9-6-3 Bowdoin College at 7:30 p.m. The winners will meet in the second round on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m.
Under head coach Michael Coven, who is in his 42nd year, Brandeis is making its 12th all-time appearance in the NCAAs. The Judges won the NCAA championship in 1976 and were runners-up in 1984. The Judges have reached the Sweet 16 in each of the past two years. In 2014, Brandeis set a school-record for wins during the regular season with 17. They peaked at No. 3 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division and in the d3soccer.com poll, but enter the tournament ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA and No. 8 in D3soccer.com.
The Judges were buoyed by stellar defense this season. They finished the regular season third in Division III with a 0.31 goals-against average. Brandeis surrendered just six goals in their 19 contests, a school record for fewest goal allowed. Their 14 shutouts ties a school record, while senior Joe Graffy of Concord, N.H., had 12 solo shutouts, two shy of the team record. Offensively, senior Tyler Savonen of Orleans, Mass., led the squad with nine goals and two assists for 20 points, second-most in the UAA. Sophomore Josh Ocel of North Attleboro, Mass., led the UAA with eight assists.
Husson is making its third NCAA tournament appearance as champions of the NAC, but first since 2011. The Eagles are led by Phil Frost, the 10th player in school history with 100 career points. Frost recorded a hat trick in Husson's 4-0 win over Thomas in the NAC title game. Senior Brian Potter made 12 saves in that contest to become the program's leader with 18 career shutouts. The win was head coach Jeff Gettler's 300th of this career in his 38th season at the Eagles' helm.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Brandeis and Husson. The teams have one common opponent this season, Wheaton College. The Judges defeated the Lyons, 1-0, on Sept. 30, while the Eagles fell, 2-0, on Oct. 19.