No. 12 Brandeis Blanks Anna Maria, 1-0
Adam Levin '94
WALTHAM, Mass. – The #12-ranked Brandeis University men's soccer team made a fifth-minute goal stand up today as the Judges defeated Anna Maria College, 1-0, in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
TEAM RECORDS
- Brandeis, 8-1-2, ranked #12 in the United Soccer Coaches Division III National poll
- Anna Maria, 3-7-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game's only goal game 4:29 into the contest. With the Judges in possession inside the AMC 18-yard box, senior midfielder Rainer Osselmann Chai (Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxborough, Mass.) saw his initial shot blocked by an AMCat defender. Classmate Nico Beninda (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) was there to pounce on the rebound, blasting it home for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
- It was Beninda's third game-winner of the season, tied for second-most in the University Athletic Association, and the fourth of his career.
- The goal ended up being enough, as Brandeis controlled play, outshooting Anna Maria, 23-4, including 9-2 in shots on goal.
- AMC goalkeeper Romain Baert kept the visitors within striking distance with eight saves, including two stellar stops in the second half. In the 48th minute, he made a diving save on junior Aidan Chuang (New York, N.Y./Milton Acad.). Ten minutes later he punched a laser from sophomore Kaden Collins (Farmington, Conn./Loomis Chaffee School) ticketed for the upper right corner over the crossbar.
- Brandeis junior Benny Shin (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) made his first collegiate start and picked up the shutout with two saves in the second half, denying Nils Cofalka in the 58th minute and Clayton Foster in the 78th.