Box Score
In the final collegiate contest for one of the most accomplished senior classes in program history, the New York University women's soccer team fell 2-0 to nationally ranked Brandeis University on Saturday, November 6, at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY.
Prior to the game, NYU (7-10-2, 2-5) honored its nine seniors – Rebecca Assing, Jane Barrett, Katie Gaston, Emily Jenkinson, Cáit Kilpatrick, Filiz Kipcakli, Laura Palumbo, Marie Tosa, and Alex Walters. Seven of the nine were in the starting lineup, while Tosa came on as a reserve.
Though they dropped their final contest, the seniors finished their careers with a winning mark, compiling a record of 38-35-6 (.519) during their four years as Violets. Several graduated with their names etched in NYU's all-time record books; Kipcakli is the Violets' all-time leading scorer (26 goals, 63 points, nine game-winning goals), Palumbo is third in assists (12) and Kipcakli and Jenkinson are tied for fourth (11), Assing is tied for fourth in game-winning goals (six), and Walters is third in wins (17).
Palumbo, Kipcakli, Assing, and Gaston also all rank in the top six in games played – with Palumbo tied for first with 78.
"This senior class is a fantastic group of nine vibrant young ladies," said head coach Werner T. Dasbach. "They have all contributed significantly to our program, and we will truly miss all of them."
The Violets hung tough with the Judges (14-4-1, 4-3), ranked #25 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25 Poll, with their best chance in the first half coming on a free kick. In the 21st minute, Palumbo was on a breakaway when she was taken down from behind, giving NYU a free kick on the left edge of the box. Serra Tumay bent a shot aimed for the far right corner, but it curled just wide.
Rachael Ross made a fantastic diving save – one of her six stops in the game – just moments later, but Brandeis broke through for its first goal in the 34th minute. Sofia Vallone, the University Athletic Association's (UAA) leading scorer, ripped a perfect strike from 25 yards into the far left corner to make it 1-0.
With just 3:04 left in the first half Natalie Beach had a good chance to tie, bringing down a ball in the box and striking a left-footed shot, but it was blocked by a late-charging defender.
Tumay had another good opportunity on a free kick in the second half – again after Palumbo drew a foul on a run. But the sophomore's curling strike from 35 yards out traveled just high over the crossbar.
The Judges went up 2-0 in the 69th minute when Ellie Einhorn banged in a rebound after the previous shot struck the crossbar. Jenkinson had NYU's best chance of the game after that, corralling a loose ball in the box and striking a left-footed shot that Brandeis goalkeeper Francine Kofinas had to dive to her right to save.
After three straight trips to the Eastern College Athletic Association (ECAC) Tournament, the Violets will not be postseason participants for the first time since 2006.
