Box Score
The New York University men's soccer team made the top of the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings a little less crowded by knocking off #7 Emory University 1-0 on Friday, October 15, at the College of Staten Island.
The Violets (8-2-2, 2-0-1) entered the contest in a three-way tie for first with both Emory and Washington University. NYU now has a leg up on the Eagles (11-1-1, 1-1-1) with four games left in UAA play by handing them their first defeat of 2010 (the 13th-ranked Bears also won, beating Case Western Reserve University 1-0 in overtime, to stay tied with the Violets).
“Three games in is still early, but it's nice to be at the top of the table,” said head coach Joe Behan. “It was a fantastic result. We battled well against a formidable opponent.”
That result means a lot to NYU's standing not only in the UAA but also in the rankings. The Violets entered the contest ranked #9 in the Atlantic Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), and they received two votes in the most recent D3soccer.com Top 25 Poll.
“This win says a lot about how our team has progressed,” commented tri-captain Nick Coulson.
Emory's credentials coming in were no secret, as it entered the week ranked second in Division III in goals-against average and in the top-10 in both national polls. But NYU scored the game's lone goal in the 34th minute on a beautiful play.
After a blocked cross in the right corner, Adam Fein played the ball to Kyle Green on the end line. Green slipped a pass back to Colm Dillane, and the freshman struck a perfect shot into the upper left corner – where the ball stayed stuck in the netting – for his first career goal.
“Colm has come in as a freshman and been a force,” said Coulson. “That goal was a big statement coming from a freshman – he has a bright future at NYU.”
The Violets made plenty of other statements in the first half. Green had a great chance in the opening minutes, winning a ball in the box after a scramble, but his shot traveled just wide of the far right post.
Just minutes before his goal, Dillane touched an indirect free kick to Paolo Luciano from 25 yards out. Luciano's strike was headed for the top of the net but was punched over the bar by the Eagle keeper.
Emory had plenty of great opportunities as well, but goalkeeper Matt Stieve was once again tremendous in net. After allowing a penalty kick to Kean University last week with 25 seconds left in the first half, NYU gave one to the Eagles with just 15 seconds to play in the first.
This time, however, Stieve turned away the PK with a fantastic diving stop to his left. He also stopped the ensuing rebound, keeping the Violets ahead heading into halftime.
On Emory's best chance of the second half, a header on a corner aimed for the upper right corner, Stieve jumped and got a piece of the ball before it deflected off the crossbar and out of play. In all the senior captain finished with five saves.
“Matt Stieve was the man of the match,” commented Behan. “He made some huge saves for us today.”
NYU will look to knock off another nationally ranked UAA foe on Sunday, as it takes on #10 Carnegie Mellon University at the College of Staten Island. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 pm. Information on the free fan bus to the game can be found here.
