Box Score
Serra Tumay scored two fantastic goals on free kicks to lift the New York University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over University Athletic Association (UAA) foe Carnegie Mellon University on Sunday, October 17, at the College of Staten Island.
The victory not only put the Violets (6-7-2, 2-2) back on the winning track after dropping two straight, but it also kept them alive in the wide-open UAA. Just one team, the University of Chicago, has three wins, while five, including NYU, have two. With six points and three games to play, the Violets remain in striking distance of the top of the standings.
“This was the right time for a win like that,” said tri-captain Katie Gaston. “At 2-2 in a wide open league, we're definitely still in it.”
“Anything can happen,” added tri-captain Jane Barrett.
Tumay made this win happen with a pair of tremendous goals. Just 8:25 into the contest she lined up for a free kick from 25 yards out in the middle of the field and ripped a shot that landed just under the crossbar and over the keeper's outstretched arms.
But the Violets' lead didn't last long, as two minutes later the Tartans' (6-7, 0-4) leading scorer, Alex Venegas, buried a shot into the upper left corner.
It wasn't until the 76th minute that Tumay had another try at a free kick, this time from a much tougher angle. With the ball placed to the left of the box, roughly halfway between the edge of the 18 and the end line, the sophomore curled a strike that again landed in the top of the net.
“We always have full confidence that Serra is going to put those in,” said Barrett. “She just takes care of business.”
Goalkeeper Rachael Ross also took care of business for the Violets to help keep things even until Tumay's second tally. Carnegie had a dangerous threat in the final minute of the first half, as Nicole Bayley chased down a long through ball and rifled a shot headed for the upper left corner. But, Ross made a remarkable diving save to keep the score even heading into halftime.
Shortly after the Tartans hit the crossbar early in the second half, Ross again made a big stop, this time with her feet. After a scramble for a loose ball following a corner, Brittany Couture had a clean look at the net. But, Ross dropped to the ground and got enough of the ball with her legs to stop the threat.
After Tumay's go-ahead goal, Carnegie had several good opportunities, but NYU held on for the victory.
“We showed a lot of fight today,” commented Gaston. “That was the difference between last weekend and this weekend.”
The Violets return to action on Friday for their final non-conference game of the regular season. They host John Jay College at Pier 40 in Manhattan. Game time is scheduled for 12:30 pm.
