Box Score

The New York University men's soccer lost yet another game in heartbreaking fashion, allowing a penalty kick goal with just 30 seconds left in double overtime to fall 1-0 at Richard Stockton College on Wednesday night, September 14, in Galloway, NJ.

The contest was the Violets' (1-3-1) fourth in the first five games of the season against a team that, like them, reached the NCAA Division III Championship last year, and their second stunning defeat in a week.

Pat Rafferty scored the penalty kick goal for Richard Stockton (5-1) after a handball was called in the box with just 30 ticks on the clock.

“It was a very, very tough call, but we didn't capitalize on our chances,” said NYU head coach Joe Behan. “All the players played well and we can certainly build on this, but we have to learn how to win games now.

“We just have to regroup and work even harder,” he added.

This contest was a tale of two uneven halves, as the Ospreys held a 10-2 advantage in shots in the first half, while the Violets owned a 10-1 edge in shots in the second half.

Goalkeeper Jonah Poster helped keep Richard Stockton off the scoreboard in the first period, making a diving save just minutes before halftime on a Sal Pistone header that was labeled for the left side. Poster finished the game with four saves between the pipes, three of which came in the first stanza, and constantly disrupted Stockton's play on set pieces by picking off balls played in the box.

Poster and the Violet defense also received some luck when a Dominic Nocito shot struck the post with eight minutes left in the first period.

However, NYU found itself on the wrong end of a similar play in the second half. With the Violets controlling possession and attacking the Osprey defense, Paolo Luciano narrowly missed a goal just six minutes into the period, chipping a shot that glanced off the post.

With the score still knotted after regulation, NYU had the best chance of the first overtime, as Adam Fein blasted a shot that was stopped by a diving Tim Brett.

Neither side could muster a shot after that, until Stockton was awarded the penalty kick.

“It was a tough, tough game, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it,” commented Behan.

The Violets return to action on Saturday when they host Baruch College at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY. Game time is scheduled for 11:00 am.