WORCESTER -- Francesco Valagussa (Arlington, MA) headed home a throw in by Mason Perham (Hampden, MA) in the first half to account for the match's only goal as WPI men's soccer captured its home opener with a 1-0 non-conference victory over visiting Brandeis on Wednesday evening at H.Carr Field at Alumni Stadium.  With the result, both teams now sport identical 1-1-1 records on the year.
 
The Engineers have now won three straight over the Judges while the last nine matchups between the two teams have either been a draw or decided by a single goal.
 
Early in the 20th minute WPI was awarded a throw-in just past the Brandeis bench.  Perham sent a perfect throw-in to the six-yard box that was headed into the goal by graduate student Valagussa at 19:03 for his first goal of the season and 11th of his career. 
 
Both teams had excellent chances to score almost immediately after the goal.  WPI's Luke Savoie (Mansfield, MA) saw his rocket stopped by Brandeis goalkeeper Quintin Wrabley (Malvern, MA) at 21:42 while just over a minute later Brandeis' Sancho Maroto Tobias (Acton, MA) had his bid smothered by Engineer netminder Ryan Martin (Douglas, MA) at 23:01.  
 
Brandeis had the best opportunity in the second stanza.  Maroto Tobias took a shot from the left side towards the far post from about 15 yards out only to see it repelled by a sprawling Martin with 12:57 to go.
 
Martin made five stops in his first action of 2023 before Julian Quaresima (East Meadow, NY) came on to work the final 8:52 for Boynton Hillers.  Wrabley tallied four saves for the visitors.
 
WPI outshot the Judges 11-7 on the night and enjoyed a 9-3 bulge in corners kicks.  Valagussa and Maroto Tobias shared game-high honors with three shots while the Crimson and Gray's Matthew Biando (Atlanta, GA) also notched multiple shots.
 
Both teams are back in action on Saturday, hosting teams from New York.   WPI plays host to Skidmore at noon while Brandeis welcomes Vassar to Waltham for a 2pm kickoff.