Box Score

In another exciting battle between budding rivals, the New York University men's soccer team stayed even with preseason #15 Stevens Institute of Technology through regulation before falling in overtime, 1-0, in the season opener at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, NJ.

The Ducks, who reached the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament last season, converted the game winner 2:20 into the first overtime period.  A long cross from the left side bounced over the Violets' defense and onto the foot of Nolan Sandberg, who tapped it over senior goalkeeper Matt Stieve and into the net.

“We took them to overtime and held our own for 90 minutes,” said head coach Joe Behan.  “Ask any player on the team and they will tell you they're disappointed, but we learned a lot from this game."

Both squads had several excellent scoring opportunities in regulation but failed to break through.  Making his first career appearance and start for NYU, sophomore Paolo Luciano narrowly missed a goal in the fifth minute, ripping a shot from the 18 that traveled just over the crossbar.

Luciano had another excellent chance midway through the first half.  After winning a loose ball on the right side, he rifled a shot from a difficult angle that was knocked out of bounds by the diving Stevens keeper.

Luciano helped set up the Violets' best scoring chance of the second half after being taken down just outside the 18 with 15 minutes to play.  On the ensuing free kick, sophomore Ryan Horch bent a shot that went just wide of the net.

Stieve played a fantastic game in net.  Midway through the first half he got fingertips on a strike that was headed for just under the crossbar, and with fewer than eight minutes left in regulation he charged a streaking Stevens forward and broke up a potentially dangerous threat.  In total Stieve made five saves.

Freshman Danny Weisbaum also made a key defensive play early in the second half, clearing a dangerous cross that found its way over Stieve's head and was on frame.

In all eight newcomers saw their first action as Violets. Luciano, Weisbaum and senior Aria Vossoughi all started, while freshmen Nick Williams, Chris Ramirez, Juan Pablo Velez and Ian Cassell and junior Niki Chow all entered as reserves.