THE BASICS:
 
- Score: No. 6 MIT 2, No. 21 Brandeis University 1
 
- Records: MIT (1-0-0, 0-0-0 NEWMAC); Brandeis (0-0-1, 0-0-0 UAA)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium)
 
- The Lead: In the season opener for both teams, the No. 6 ranked MIT women's soccer team defeated No. 21 Brandeis University by a hard-fought 2-1 final in non-conference play. Last season, the two teams tied the season opener, followed by a meeting in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Graduate student Karenna Groff (Weston, Mass.) got the Engineers on the board just 7:49 into the game as she turned and fired a shot from 15 yards out and into the far corner for the 1-0 edge. The teams each had chances over the remainder of the first half, with Brandeis holding a 5-3 edge in shots as MIT held the 1-0 halftime advantage.
 
- The Engineers doubled up the lead at the 51:07 mark as junior Meagan Rowlett (Dana Point, Calif.) got taken down in the box and converted the ensuing penalty shot for the 2-0 lead.
 
- Brandeis kept pushing though and converted a chance of their own just over five minutes later to cut the lead down to 2-1. The goal was created at point blank range in front of the net, with the ball bouncing between the two teams before Juliette Carreiro gained control and knocked it in for the visitors.
 
- MIT kept up the offensive pressure of its own over the rest of the game with six shots on goal and the defense held strong to come away with the home win.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Senior Lauren Castle (Ridgefield, Conn.) made three saves for MIT in the game, while Ella Thompson turned aside six shots for the Judges.
 
- The two teams were even in shots at 10 apiece, while MIT held the 6-3 edge in corner kick opportunities.
 
- This marked the third straight season that MIT and Brandeis met in the season opener.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- MIT returns to action on Saturday, September 3rd as the Engineers hit the road to Bridgewater State for a 5 p.m. non-conference start.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
- For the latest on MIT Athletics, follow the Engineers via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.