Women's Soccer Drops 5-1 Decision to Brandeis in Season Opener

By Jim Fenton

WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team began the 2025 season with a road loss Friday night.

The Bears allowed four first-half goals and were defeated by Brandeis University, 5-1, in a non-conference matchup at Gordon Field.

The Judges have now won 12 straight games against BSU and hold a 15-2-1 edge in the series.

The Bears are coming off two straight Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season titles and advanced to the NCAA Division 3 tournament last fall.

Brandeis jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opening 16:09 and was in front, 4-1, by halftime.

The scoring began 5:56 into the game when sophomore Peterly Leroy (Malden, Mass.) scored on a low shot with junior Lacey Mbugua (Brockton, Mass.) assisting.

Brandeis' first two shots were stopped, but on the rebound, Leroy scored from in front.

Just over 10 minutes later, senior Caroline Alcock (Southborough, Mass.) made it 2-0 with freshman Kira Pevow (Houston, Texas) assisting.

Alcock converted a header off a corner feed from Pevow.

BSU's first goal of the season came at 28:23 from senior Jenna Sweeney (Wilmington, Mass.) with senior Erin Richards (Plymouth, Mass.) assisting.

The Bears took advantage of a turnover by the Judges to score and get within 2-1.

But Brandeis netted two more goals in the span of less than two minutes for the 4-1 halftime edge.

At 37:41, Pevow scored her first collegiate goal on a free kick that went high into the left side of the net.

Junior Abby Kenkelen (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored at 39:17 with freshman Grace Carman (Chicago, Ill.) getting her first career assist.

The Judges concluded the scoring at 50:36 when Leroy set up Kenkelen.

Brandeis had a 13-2 advantage in shots on goal and 27-9 in overall shots.

BSU junior goalkeeper Marcy Clapp (Middleton, Mass.) made seven saves in her BSU debut while junior Amaya Logan (Jacksonville, Fla.) had one save for the Judges.

The Bears have their home opener Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Johnson & Wales.

Brandeis is at Babson College Tuesday for a 4 p.m. game.