WORCESTER, Mass. – Brandeis University men's soccer senior Max Breiter (Lincoln, Mass./Lawrence Academy) netted his first career game-winning goal 59 seconds into the second overtime period to give the Judges a 2-1 road victory over Clark University at Granger Field in Worcester tonight. With the win, the Judges improve to 2-1, while the Cougars fall to 1-1.
After a scoreless first half in which the Judges controlled play and outshot the hosts, 9-2, Brandeis finally broke through in the 55th minute. Junior midfielder Noah Gans (Newton, Mass./Newton South) netted his first goal of the season and the fifth of his career, heading home a cross from senior back Dylan Hennessy (New York, N.Y./Northfield Mount Hermon).
Brandeis looked to have things locked up, generating an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks and 5-4 edge in shots for the rest of the second half. With less than two minutes to go in regulation, some chippy play erupted in the Brandeis defensive zone, with three yellow cards handed out. On the ensuing free kick with just 1:45 left on the clock, Clark's Trevor Sheridan connected with Evan Jurkowski, who buried the equalizer.
The Cougars survived a late onslaught in the first overtime session, with goalkeeper Melvin Vincent denying Brandeis rookie Will DeNight (Miami, Fla. / MAST Academy) and a Clark defender stopping Hennessey on the follow-up rebound as time expired. Just 59 seconds into the second OT period, senior midfielder Colin Panarra (Belmar, N.J. / Marine Acad. of Technology and Environmental Science) connected with Breiter for the golden goal. It was the fifth goal of Breiter's career.
Brandeis senior Greg Irwin (Passaic, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep) made one save to earn the win, while Vincent had six stops for the Cougars in the losing effort. Brandeis outshot Clark, 18-6, for the game, and had 11 corners to three for the hosts.
Brandeis returns to action on Saturday at home at 1 p.m. when they meet Babson for the 67th time, the most played rivalry in program history. Clark plays at Trinity (Conn.) at the same time.