The top-seeded New York University women's soccer team has advanced to the Championship Game of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro/Upstate Championship by defeating #5 Mt. St. Mary College 2-0 in a semifinal match-up on Saturday, November 14, at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY.
The host Violets (14-5-1) scored consecutive goals in a span of just over one minute in the first half to take an advantage they never relinquished.
Teresa Fazio opened the scoring at 16:42 after taking a cross from
Sharon Lee and kicking it inside the left post past Knights' goalkeeper Mary Riley. Just 1:15 later, at 17:57, Lee connected off a pass from
Lexi Clarke from the top of the box, getting the ball past Riley inside the right post.
"It was a good attacking performance as far as moving the ball," said NYU Head Coach
Michele Canning.
Mount St. Mary (15-8-2) never really threatened throughout the contest, recording its first (and only) shot on goal late in the second half.
"We were very organized on defense and put good pressure on the ball," said Canning.
HIGHLIGHTS:- NYU keeper
Cassie Steinberg needed only one save to record her second consecutive shutout in the tournament, having blanked Lehman College in the Violets' quarterfinal victory on Wednesday.
- The Violets outshot the Knights 20-2 overall and 8-1 in shots on goal. NYU also dominated on corner kicks, posting a 10-1 advantage.
- Fazio (4) and
McKennah Spagnola (3) recorded the most shots for NYU.
"We have to have the right attitude coming into the game tomorrow so we're really competitive and ready to go from the start," Canning added.
The Violets will face #3 seed Rutgers-Newark University, a 1-0 winner over #7 Bard College, in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championship Final at 12:00 pm on Sunday at Gaelic Park.
