In the ultra-competitive University Athletic Association, every league game is crucial. Based on the way the men’s soccer team played on Saturday, they know this fact very well. The Yellowjackets scored twice in the opening 20 minutes en route to a 3-0 whipping of Brandeis University.
UR started the scoring in the 15th minute, when junior Patrick Ripp took a free kick from 20 yards out and punched the ball toward the bottom right corner of the goal. The Brandeis goalie was screened well by UR as the ball slid under his dive and into the net.
Less than five minutes later, the ‘Jackets got on the board again thanks to senior Neil Osuch. Fellow senior Tyler Green’s header found Osuch in the penalty area and he put a chip shot in the top corner of the goal to double the lead for UR. It was Osuch’s second goal in as many games.
In the second half, Brandeis pressed more on the offensive end but could not find a way to score on the UR defense. In the 81st minute, the Yellowjackets put the final nail in the coffin with their third goal of the game. Freshman J.J. Dennstedt worked his way around the Brandeis goalie and scored on the open net for the first goal of his college career.
Head coach Chris Apple was pleased with the way his offense attacked early in the game.
“It always helps to score early,” he said. “It gave us confidence and it forced Brandeis to open things up a little and attack more, which allowed us more space to counter.”
UR faces two important league games this weekend. On Friday, the University of Chicago Maroons come to town for a game at 7 p.m. After one day’s rest, UR is back out on the pitch at Fauver Stadium to take on Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Coach Apple is taking the season one game at a time.
“In every match there are three points on the line, so we treat them all equally and we focus on one at a time,” he said. “So right now, all of our efforts are on continuing to improve what we do and preparing for Chicago.”
Moeller can be reached at amoeller@campustimes.org.
