From Brandeis University Athletics/WPI Athletics

Brandeis senior Michael Soboff (Framingham, Mass./Newton North) scored in the 24th minute to lead nationally-ranked Brandeis to a 1-0 victory at WPI in a non-conference men's soccer showdown at Alumni Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Judges, currently ranked fifth in Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) coaches and fourth by D3Soccer.com, improves to 6-0 while handing the Engineers their first loss to fall to 5-1.

WPI sophomore Matt Farrell (Groveland, Mass.) and Brandeis sophomore Mike Lynch (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) traded early attempts before junior Jake Pickard (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) fired off a quality shot in the fifth minute; however, the Brandeis chance was turned away by Engineer freshman goalkeeper Connor Hoeckele (Granby, Conn.). Four minutes later, Hoeckele was challenged by senior Soboff, who then deposited a cross from sophomore Zach Vieira (Andover, Mass./Brooks School) with 21:33 remaining in the half. Vieira helped setup the marker as he dribbled the ball into the box before dishing the ball off.

The goal was the third game-winner of the season for Soboff and the seventh in his two years at Brandeis after transferring from Rutgers. Vieira's assist gives him a point in four straight games. 

Brandeis pressured much of the second half and took all five shots prior to a chance by WPI senior Sam Russell (Glastonbury, Conn.), who took a chip shot from outside the box that sailed just above the crossbar at 77:50. 

Judges senior netminder Joe Graffy (Concord, N.H./Concord) was not called upon to make a save while Hoeckele stopped five shots for the Engineers. For the contest, Brandeis held an 11-6 margin in shots and took all six corners.