Box Score

The New York University women's soccer team won its opening game at the 2012 Stevens Engineering Cup, defeating Kean University 1-0 on Saturday, September 8, at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, NJ.
 
Melissa Menta scored the game-winning goal for the Violets (2-1) in the 16th minute, handing the regionally ranked Cougars (3-1) their first loss and leaving NYU in contention for the Engineering Cup title.
 
Highlights
 
- Menta scored 15:52 into the contest, burying a shot from the top of the box after a short cross from Serra Tumay. Just a freshman, Menta now has four goals in her first three career games.
 
- The Violets had several other strong chances, but Kean goalkeeper KC Nunez came up with some big saves to keep it a one-goal game. NYU goalkeeper Meg Patten was also up to the task, though, finishing with five saves to record the shutout.
 
- After the Cougars' Shannon Pederson struck the crossbar on a free kick just before halftime, Kean was held to just two shots the rest of the way by the Violet defense. The Cougars held a 9-4 edge in shots in the first half, but NYU came out stronger in the second half, outshooting Kean 11-2.
 
- Playing in the Stevens Engineering Cup for the sixth straight year, the Violets have earned at least one win in all six appearances. NYU captured the tournament title in 2008 and 2009 and will have the chance to do so again on Sunday.
 
“Over the course of this week we've been trying to work on our attacking movement, and in the second half things really started to click for us,” said Violet Head Coach Michele Canning. “We feel good about getting a win away from home and hope to continue with it tomorrow.”
 
NYU will play the final game of the Stevens Engineering Cup on Sunday, September 9, at 3:00 pm against Ursinus College. The Bears fell 4-0 to host Stevens on Saturday.