Emory University’s Maya Vankineni scored her third game-winning goal in as many matches, as the Eagles defeated University Athletic Association (UAA) rival Brandeis University (Mass.) 2-1 at the Woodruff P.E. Center on Friday.

The Eagles notched the first score of the game, coming after Jamie English took a ball away from a defender deep in the Brandeis zone, turning and passing to Joyce Lam.  Lam then shot the ball into the upper-left corner of the net for her fifth goal of the season.  The score gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Judges, however, would answer back in the second half of the match.  After an Emory corner kick was cleared from the box, Brandeis’ Tiffany Pacheco started a breakaway up the field, passing the ball to Tzlil Castel, who beat Emory goalkeeper Emily Fedeles for the game-tying goal in the 48th minute.

With the game tied, Vankineni would continue her recent streak of heroics.  After the Judges were unable to clear a Talia Dweck corner kick in the 68th minute, English eventually settled the ball down near the goal line, setting up Vankineni for the game-winning goal.

The goal was Vankineni’s fifth of the season, tying her for the second most on the team this season.  The junior is fourth on the squad with 16 points, and her three game-winning goals lead the team.

With the victory, Emory, ranked 11th in the Nation, improves to 14-1-1 this season, including a 3-1-1 record in UAA games, while Brandeis falls to 8-6-2, and 1-2-1 in conference play.  Emory will play its penultimate match of the regular season on Sunday, when the Eagles will host New York University at the Woodruff P.E. Center, starting at 1:30 PM.