Brandeis edges past Men’s Soccer in NCAA Second Round

Box Score WALTHAM, Mass. — The Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team had its NCAA Tournament run come to an end Sunday evening, falling 0-1 to Brandeis University in the second round of the tournament.

Brandeis University improves to 16-4-1 and advances to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second-straight year. Roger Williams closes its campaign at 16-6-2.

The game's only goal came in the 25th minute. The play started with a ball played out wide by senior midfielder Sam Ocel (North Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro). It was tracked down by senior back Ben Applefield (Avon, Conn./Avon), who dribbled down the left side and fired a cross through the box. A wide open Tyler Savonen (Orleans, Mass./Nauset Regional) planted his head on it and buried his team-leading 12th goal of the season. It proved to be the junior's fourth game-winner and marked his fourth-straight game with a goal.

Brandeis dominated the statistics, outshooting the Hawks by a 20-4 margin overall, 10-2 in each half. The Judges were able to keep RWU senior Trevor Hoxsie (Scarborough, Maine/Scarborough) to one shot, taken early in the contest. Judge junior Joe Graffy (Concord, N.H./Concord) made the stop, and Brandeis was able to keep the threats to a minimum.

RWU senior Jon Pelloso (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug) made four saves in the losing effort, with his best coming in the 56th minute. Applefield dribbled into the box, forcing Pelloso to commit before feeding junior Michael Soboff (Framingham, Mass./Newton South), but the Hawk netminder was able to get back to turn the ball away.

Graffy's best stop came in the 73rd minute, when Roger Williams junior James Sheldon (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ward) stepped in front of a weak back-pass. He shot high, but Graffy snatched the ball out of the air and prevented any rebounds.

The Judges also got a fine defensive play in the final five minutes, when sophomore back Connor Lanahan (Avon, Conn./Avon) ran with a charging James Sheldon (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan). Lanahan deflected the ball off Sheldon for a goal kick, stopping the visitors' momentum as they pushed forward for an equalizing goal.

In advancing to the third round of the tournament for the second-straight year, Brandeis will earn a rematch with Williams College, who earned a 1-0 victory over the Judges in 2012. The Ephs defeated Western New England University, 4-1.

- Release courtesy of the Brandeis University Sports Information Department

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Players Mentioned

#18 Trevor Hoxsie: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Jon Pelloso: GK; 5' 11"; Senior

#14 James Sheldon: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#18 Trevor Hoxsie
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#1 Jon Pelloso
: 5' 11"; Senior
: GK

#14 James Sheldon
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#18 Trevor Hoxsie

#1 Jon Pelloso

#14 James Sheldon

Players Mentioned

#18 Trevor Hoxsie

#1 Jon Pelloso

#14 James Sheldon