Entering the season with only one senior on the roster and having just graduated the program's all-time leading scorer, the New York University women's soccer team looked primed for a rebuilding year in 2009.
But, through a season of ups and downs in which they finished 10-9-1, the young Violets showcased exciting talent and excellent chemistry that has NYU supporters optimistic about the program's future.
Third-year head coach Werner T. Dasbach's team played well early in the season, winning seven of its first nine games, which included tournament championships at the Swat Classic at Swarthmore College and at the Stevens Tech Engineering Cup.
Leading the way for the Violets during their hot start was sophomore midfielder Erica Jones, who was named University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week on Sept. 14 after earning MVP honors at the Stevens Tech Engineering Cup. She continued her strong play throughout the season and was named Honorable Mention All-UAA for the second straight year.
Also earning Honorable Mention All-UAA recognition for the Violets were junior defender Katie Gaston, who scored the first goal of her career on Sept. 12 against Ursinus College, and Filiz Kipcakli, who led the team with eight goals and set an NYU record with six game-winning goals.
Earning Second-Team All-UAA honors for NYU was junior midfielder Emily Jenkinson, who stepped forward with the best season of her career. She scored six goals while starting all 20 games.
Wrapping up her stellar NYU career in 2009 was senior Lucy Dolly Caires, who recorded six assists and tied the program's all-time mark with 19.
“Lucy is a special player and person, and NYU women's soccer was very fortunate to have had such a player in the program,” Dasbach said. “Her joyous, fierce competitive spirit, often exhibited by her desirous drive to always be the best and be number one, coupled by her love and passion for the game, was not only infectious but truly made the players around her better.”
After starting UAA play with a tough 5-0 loss at nationally ranked University of Rochester, the Violets did not lose by more than one goal again, as three of their final seven contests went to overtime. On Oct. 16, NYU traveled to Atlanta and battled Emory University to a 1-1 tie. The Violets finished 0-6-1 in UAA play.
Once the regular season came to a close, the Violets earned a place in the postseason as the top seed in the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament. They defeated Bard College, 1-0, in the semifinals, but lost a 2-1 overtime decision to William Paterson University in the final.
The player's accomplishments weren't confined to the pitch, as Jones, junior Rebecca Assing, junior Jane Barrett, sophomore Rachael Ross, and junior Marie Tosa each earned UAA Fall Sport All-Academic honors, while senior Laura Palumbo, a Dean's List student, earned the NYU Presidential Service Award.
