CHICAGO, Ill. -- Solid defense throughout the second half proved critical for the University of Chicago men's soccer team in its 1-0 upset win over No. 9-ranked Brandeis University on Friday.

The Maroons (7-2-3 overall) gained their first UAA victory and are now 1-1-1 in conference. The Judges lost its first game of the year to fall to 11-1-1 overall, 1-1-1 in the UAA.

The game was held under the lights of the football stadium at Stagg Field for the first time this season. The change of venue resulted in a much faster game as both sides took advantage of the artificial turf to create offense on the fly.

Chicago got the first good look in the 10th minute thanks to a foul call on the end line right outside the box. The subsequent free kick was then headed out by the defense to negate the threat.

Brandeis played several long balls into space through the air, and one of the long switches almost paid off. But Ben Applefield's shot from in close was anticipated and saved by Chicago goalie David Cohen.

The Maroons struck on an unlikely offensive run. Kyle Kurfirst corraled a turnover off a throw in and touched the ball up to Jorge Bilbao. The freshman midfielder collected the pass on the run and skillfully netted a left-footed shot from 15 yards out with a defender hanging all over him.

The Judges nearly tied the game in the 38th minute. But Cohen made a diving save to stop the header off a corner kick.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Chicago drew a foul in the box and earned a penalty kick. However, a clutch save by Brandeis goalie Blake Minchoff kept the score 1-0.

Brandeis picked up the pace for the rest of the second half and controlled the action the rest of the way. The visitors kept creating chances, and the Maroons continued to deny the attacks, with big defensive efforts from Cohen, Garrett Laird and Jorge Sanchez-Cummings.

Chicago clinched the game in the final moments of regulation thanks in large part to Kurfirst. The sophomore forward salted away several minutes off the clock in the offensive end by drawing multiple fouls and using fancy dribbling skills to maintain possession.

Final stats reflected the even play, with Chicago up 14-11 in shots and Brandeis led 7-4 in corner kicks. Cohen earned his second shutout of the year to run his record to 4-1-2. Chicago has now held opponents scoreless six times in its seven wins this season.

The Maroons will play their final home game against New York University at 1 PM on Sunday.