Brandeis Shuts Down Fitchburg State, 5-0

Hanratty stops 14 in first collegiate game for the Falcons

KEENE, N.H. (September 3, 2011) – Brandeis senior's Steve Keuchkarian (Watertown, Mass.) and Theo Terris (Concord, Mass.) each netted a goal and dished out an assist in the Judges' 5-0 victory over Fitchburg State on Saturday afternoon at the Xara Classic at Keene State College.

The Judges outshot the Falcons 37-4 on the game and had 19 corners to Fitchburg State's two.

Brandeis midfielder Sam Ocel (N. Attleboro, Mass.) started the scoring just over 15 minutes into the game on a nice cross from Keuchkarian to push it past the Falcon net minder. Less than five minutes later, junior forward Lee Russo (Westford, Mass.) broke free of the Falcon defense and scored his first goal of the year to give the Judges a 2-0 lead.

Keuchkarian and Terris netted another set of goals for the Judges in the second half, posting the pair of scores in just a two minute span. Keuchkarian hit first at 54:11 before Terris gave Brandeis a 4-0 lead at the 56:53 mark. Freshman Tyler Savonen (Orleans, Mass.) added the final goal at the 77:24 mark for the 5-0 final.

Fitchburg freshman forward Wansi Frank (Lynn, Mass./Lynn) had the best scoring chance for the Falcons all game, crossing two defenders and ripping a shot at the top right corner in the first half, but Brandies goalkeeper Blake Minchoff (Fiskdale, Mass.) made a nice diving save to keep the shutout intact.

Minchoff finished the game with three saves for the shutout victory. Falcon freshman goalie Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass./E. Bridgewater) was pestered with shots all game, making 14 stops in his first career contest.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow in day two of the Xara Classic, with Fitchburg State squaring off against The College of New Jersey at 12:30. Brandeis will take on host Keene State College at 2:30.

Brandeis 5, Fitchburg State 0