From Washington University Athletics
The Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team scored a pair of second-half goals to record a 2-0 win at No. 7-ranked Brandeis University Sunday afternoon at Gordon Field in Waltham, Mass.
WashU improved to 9-2-3 and 2-1-1 in the University Athletic Association (UAA), while Brandeis had its three-match win streak snapped and fell to 12-2, 3-1 in the UAA. With the win, WashU remained in third place in the UAA standings, but trails first-place Brandeis and Case Western Reserve University by only two points.
Brandeis had its 24-match unbeaten streak at home snapped, suffering its first loss at Gordon Field since a 3-2 loss to the University of Rochester on Oct. 12, 2013.
"The guys fought hard today against a very good Brandeis team. This was a good result on the road," said WashU head coach Joe Clarke. "Anytime you get an early goal it puts more pressure on the other team."
WashU jumped in front in the sixth minute after junior Kevin Goon took a pass from junior Corey Meehan and chipped charging Brandeis goalkeeper Ben Woodhouse. The goal for Goon was his second of the season and fourth of his career.
Brandeis had its best scoring opportunity in the 10th minute when Michael Chaput's shot went off the post. Each team had three shots in the opening half.
WashU made it 2-0 in the 61st minute after freshman Ryan Sproule headed a cross senior Ike Witte into the back of the net. The goal for Sproule was his fourth in his rookie campaign.
Junior goalkeeper Daniel Geanon (6-1-2) made one save to preserve the Bears' seventh shutout of the season. Geanon, who has allowed three goals in 830 minutes played, is second in the UAA in goals against average (0.32) and save percentage (.900).
"Daniel played well in goal, coming out and being aggressive. He also did a nice job directing the back line," Clarke said. "Our defense worked hard for the entire 90 minutes today."
Brandeis outshot WashU 12-10, but managed just one shot on goal. The Bears also had an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.
WashU returns home to host Fontbonne University (5-9, 3-3 SLIAC) Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with Brandeis 17-8-3, and has split the last four meetings between the two teams … The Bears are 7-1 on the road this season, including 2-0 against top-10 teams.