The 15^th-ranked Emory University women’s soccer team completed a weekend sweep of two University Athletic Association (UAA) opponents on Sunday, defeating Brandeis University 2-0 in Waltham, MA behind two Kelly Costopoulos goals.

The Eagles got on the board in the 37^th minute, taking a 1-0 lead of freshman Kelly Costopoulos' second goal of the season.  Costopoulos picked up the score after sophomore Ashley Kaiser collected a rebound from a Veronica Romero shot after a corner kick that was deflected by the Brandeis goalkeeper.  Kaiser then tapped the ball to Costopoulos, who finished with the goal-scoring shot.  It was the fourth assist of the season for Romero, the second-best total by an Eagle this season, and the first assist for Kaiser.

Sophomore Erica Stein recorded her fifth-straight scoreless appearance in goal, playing the first half and making two saves.  Stein would end up picking up her fourth win of the season to improve to 4-0-0 overall with a 0.56 goals against average.  In the second half, sophomore Kaele Leonard took over in goal for Emory, adding 45 shutout minutes of her own to close out the contest.

Meanwhile, the Eagles would add on an insurance score in the 74^th minute, as Costopoulos picked up her second goal of the game and third of the season to make it a 2-0 game.  Junior co-captain Caroline Coates set up the goal, driving around the defense towards the end line, and making a crossing pass to Costopoulos, for her first career assist.  Costopulous finished the weekend with two goals and an assist over two games.

The Eagles’ defense picked up its eighth shutout of the season, and its seventh in the last nine games.  It is the first time Emory has shutout two UAA opponents on the road in the same weekend since the 2006 squad did so against New York University and Brandeis.

The Eagles were particularly dominant in the second half, holding an 12-1 advantage in shots, and finishing the game with a 21-7 shot advantage.  11 of Emory’s shots were on goal, compared to two for the Judges.  The Eagles took six corner kicks during the game, while holding Brandeis without one.

With the win, Emory improved to 11-1-2 on the season, and to 2-1-1 in conference play to move within striking distance of first place in the UAA.  It also completed the Eagles’ first two-game weekend road sweep of UAA opponents since October 31^st and November 2^nd of 2008, when Emory also beat Brandeis and New York University on the road.

Brandeis dropped to 2-2-0 in conference matches, and to 10-3-1 overall.

As the UAA takes a break from conference play next weekend, the Eagles will turn their attention towards Berry College, who they will host on Saturday, October 23^rd at 6:00 PM.