Box Score
The New York University women's soccer team dropped its University Athletic Association (UAA) opener, falling 1-0 to visiting Case Western Reserve University on Saturday, October 1, at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY.
Ana Arruda scored the game-winning goal for the Spartans (7-1-2, 1-0) in the 24th minute. Leah Levey sent a cross that found Arruda in the box, and she finished with a low shot to the far left post.
The 1-0 contest continued a remarkably close series between the UAA foes. Of the 16 games between the two squads that have not ended in a draw, 11 have been decided by just one goal, including each of the last four. The series is now dead even at 8-8-1.
Arruda's goal came during a first period in which Case outshot NYU (7-3, 0-1) 11-2. The Violets looked like a different team in the second half, however, sending 10 shots toward goal.
Hannah Speer put pressure on the Spartan defense, as did
Cami Crawford, who had the best chance of the second half for the Violets. With just 18 minutes to play, Crawford made run down the right side and cut toward the middle to get herself free. She then struck a high shot that forced Case goalkeeper Anna Kenndy to make an excellent jumping catch.
“We made some adjustments and stepped up our game in the second half,” said NYU head coach
Michele Canning. “There was some positive play that we can build on for the future.”
Early in the second period, the Spartans narrowly missed adding to their lead. In the 50th minute, Violet goalkeeper
Meg Patten turned away Arruda's shot, but the rebound found its way to Levey, who hit the crossbar.
NYU kept pressuring late in the game, but the closest it got was a rebound attempt that
Erin Haggerty headed high.
Patten finished with seven saves between the pipes, while
Karli Masengale added a team save after clearing a dangerous Spartan chance off the line. Kennedy totaled four stops to earn the win.
The Violets return to action on Tuesday night when they host William Paterson University at Gaelic Park. Game time is scheduled for 9:00 pm.
