The Case Western Reserve University women’s soccer team opened up their University Athletic Association (UAA) season with one thing in mind: revenge.

The team had suffered a conference season-opening loss to Brandeis University last year. However, they were unable to avenge themselves, as the No. 12 team in the country defeated the Spartans on the road, 2-0, on Saturday, Sept. 29.

The Judges opened up the match with a quick score in the 17th minute, as fourth-year midfielder Becca Buchman corralled a deflected pass and sent the ball into the back of the net.

The Spartans tried to respond, with five players attempting a shot. None of them were able to get their shots on target.

Brandeis added an insurance goal in the 76th minute, as third-year midfielder Katie Hayes tapped in a deflected corner kick by first-year midfielder Lauren Mastandrea.   

The CWRU offense was cold the entire game. The team had five shots, with none of them on goal. On the other hand, the Brandeis offense had 23 shots with 12 on goal.

“Brandeis is one of the most organized defensive teams we’ve played this year,” Head Coach Tiffany Crooks said. “They are athletic and get numbers behind the ball. They are hard to break down in the run of play.”

Even with the offensive woes, the Spartans played tough defense to limit the damage from the barrage by Brandeis. Metz had a career-high 10 saves.

“[Metz] has had a great year so far, and she’s continually improving. It was her first UAA game, so she’ll only be getting better as the UAA season progresses,” Crooks said.

The Spartans ended the week with two losses, bringing their overall record to 5-4 and their UAA record to 0-1.

Following a 3-0 home win against Allegheny College on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the team will look to continue their five-game homestand with a conference matchup against New York University this Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

“We’re looking to work on a few points of weakness from the weekend and hit the restart button right away. We have so many opportunities to improve and to grow,” Crooks said. “That’s what excites me the most about this group. We aren’t to our best soccer yet.”