Ross Solid Between Pipes in Opening Loss to #22 TCNJ

Sophomore Makes Career-High 10 Saves in First Collegiate Start

Rachael Ross made 10 saves in her first start for NYU.

Despite a strong performance between the pipes by Rachael Ross in her first collegiate start, the New York University women's soccer team opened its 2009 season with a 2-0 loss to The College of New Jersey at the TCNJ Soccer Complex in Ewing, NJ, on Tuesday evening.

Ranked #22 in the National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA)/adidas Division III National Rankings, the Lions struck for a pair of second-half goals from Annie McCarthy, who scored off a header in the 46th minute and added an insurance tally with her foot in the 85th minute.

Ross enabled NYU to forge a scoreless tie after the first 45 minutes and, despite TCNJ's pressure, put aside a career-best 10 saves.

Katie Gaston and Lucy Dolly Caires each put shots on goal, with Caires' attempt bounding from Lions' goalkeeper Jessica Clarke's hands and off the crossbar. TCNJ owned a 25-2 edge in shots and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

NYU will return to action Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4 and 5, when it participates in the Swarthmore College Swat Classic in Swarthmore, PA. The Violets will face Albright College on Friday night at 7 p.m. before opposing local rival Montclair State University on Saturday at 10 a.m.