Violets Turn Back Bard in ECAC Semis

Haggerty's Early-Second Half Tally Pushes NYU Into Tourney Final

Erin Haggerty's second collegiate goal was also her second game-winning tally.

William Paterson-New Jersey City Box Score

Fan Van Information for Championship Game

Erin Haggerty's early second-half score enabled top-seeded New York University to earn its second straight appearance in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metropolitan Tournament title game with a 1-0 semifinal victory over #4-seeded Bard College on a rainy Saturday at the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Lubetkin Field in Newark, NJ.

In addition to securing their third consecutive season with double-digit wins, the Violets (10-8-1) also earned a championship-game date with #2 William Paterson University — which capped its comeback on a goal with :33 remaining to defeat #3 New Jersey City University, 2-1 — tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.

NYU is 1-2 in ECAC Metro Tournament title contests, with its lone championship coming in 2001. The Violets defeated William Paterson, 2-1, on Oct. 7 in the regular-season meeting between these annual regional rivals.

"It's a huge deal for the program. It's an opportunity to be champions and we're excited," NYU head coach Werner T. Dasbach said. "I know we have a lot of players on this team who are excited and ready to step up, embrace this opportunity and make their mark."

For much of the contest, the Violets set themselves up in the Raptors' half of the turf, as evidenced by their decisive advantages in shots (11-3) and corner kicks (10-1).

Still, it took until 48:23 for NYU to end its scoreless drought. Haggerty collected a feed from Jane Barrett, made a quick surge up the left side, stopped about 25 yards away from the goal line along the left flank, then launched a high-arcing, left-footed blast that bent into the top-right corner of the net. Her second goal of the season also proved to be her second game-winning score.

"We decided to keep her in because she was penetrating and getting behind their defense, and that was the key against a team that fought very hard," Dasbach said. "It was a great goal and that was something she does a lot in training. She's got a great left foot. It was a great strike."

Between the posts, Alex Walters played the final 45 minutes in relief of Rachael Ross and made one save. Lena James stopped six shots for the Raptors (11-7-4).