In a hard-fought defensive battle on Friday night in Waltham, MA, the top-ranked Emory University women's soccer team played Brandeis University to a scoreless tie in University Athletic Association (UAA) competition.
With the tie, Emory now stands at 11-0-5 on the season, including a 3-0-2 mark in UAA games. The Eagles moved to second UAA standings with 11 points this season, two behind Wash U. with two games remaining. Brandeis now stands at 12-3-2, including a 1-2-2 mark in conference games.
The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but with Eagles controlling the majority of the possession during the frame. The Eagles were able to manage eight shots in the first 45 minutes, while keeping the Judges without one, but just one of Emory's shots was on goal, a strike by sophomore Emily Feldman that was saved by the Brandeis goalkeeper in the fifth minute.
Brandeis would begin to gain momentum at the start of the second half, outshooting the Eagles 4-1 to start the frame, including one shot on goal for the Judges on a free kick that was saved by Emory's Kaele Leonard. The Eagles bounced back, taking five unanswered shots to end the half, including two on goal, but were still unable to find the back of the net.
The field opened up in overtime, with both teams getting their share of chances. Emory's best opportunity in the first overtime came on a header shot by Clare Mullins off a Lee Bachouros corner kick that went just wide of the net. Moments later, Brandeis' Mary Shimko launched a shot from 30 yards out that was saved by Leonard again. Emory would add on another four shots in the second overtime, while Brandeis took two, but none were on goal, and the game ended without either squad converting a goal.
Emory finished with a 22-9 edge in total shots, and a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal over Brandeis. Feldman led all players with five shots and two shots on goal.
The Eagles will continue their season-ending three-game conference road trip on Sunday, October 28th, as Emory will travel to Gaelic Park in the Bronx, New York, to the New York University Violets.
Emory Notes
Friday's game marked the 13th time this year that Emory has held its opponent to under 10 shots in a game, and the 10th time it has held an opponent to two shots on goal or less… Emory's offense has amassed 20 or more shots in 11 games this year… The Eagles are now 2-0-5 this season in overtime games… Emory's five ties are equal to the second-most in a season in the program's history, along with the 2009 squad (8-5-5), and one short of the program record of six ties, set by 1998 team (14-1-6)… It was the first time that the Eagles have been held without a goal in a regular season game since October 9th, 2010… Emory ran its regular season undefeated streak to 40 games (33-0-7) and its conference undefeated streak to 17 games.