A pair of nationally ranked opponents await the New York University men's and women's soccer teams in the Garden State when they make their respective season debuts Tuesday night.

The NYU women's squad will begin its quest for a third-consecutive postseason appearance when it travels down the New Jersey Turnpike for a 5 p.m. contest at national power The College of New Jersey, ranked #22 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division III National Rankings.  TCNJ will provide live stats.

A few hours later, the Violets' men will cross the Hudson River to challenge 2008 NCAA Division III national runner-up and NSCAA/adidas #2 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology at 8 p.m.  Stevens Tech will offer both a video webcast and live stats.

On the women's pitch, NYU went 11-9-1 and reached the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metropolitan Tournament finals while earning its second-straight playoff invitation for just the second time in school history. 

Third-year head coach Werner T. Dasbach returns nine starters, including five of his top six offensive threats.  This includes the Violets' lone senior in Lucy Dolly Caires (3-3-9), as well as two-time Honorable Mention UAA selections in Filiz Kipcakli (10-3-23) and Laura Palumbo (6-6-18).  Also figuring prominently on the offensive end are Rebecca Assing (5-2-12) and Emily Jenkinson (4-2-10).

Honorable Mention All-UAA picks Katie Gaston and Erica Jones, as well as Cait Kilpatrick, will lead a formidable defense in front of Alex Walters (11-8-1, 1.16 GAA, 5 SHO).

On the men's pitch, the Violets (6-9-3 in 2008) return seven starters under 13th-year head coach Joe Behan, including Honorable Mention All-UAA honorees Badr Bevaart (4-0-8),  Marek Urbanski (5-8-3, 1.23 GAA, 6 SHO) and captain Christopher Wolf (started all 18 games).  NYU's other senior, Brandon Hintz, tied for fifth in the Association with seven assists.