Melissa Menta's two-goal performance led the New York University women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Whitman College on Saturday afternoon, September 12. The game was the Violets' first of two as part of the Stevens Engineering Cup this weekend in Hoboken, NJ.
NYU (2-1) dominated the Missionaries (0-2) in every aspect of the game during its victory, including a 9-3 advantage in total shots and a 4-1 lead in shots on goal.
"We had a good showing today," said NYU Assistant Coach
Amy Johnson. "The girls did well implementing what we've been working on in practice this week. Credit to them for working through everything that was thrown at them."
The Violets attempted two shots, one on net, and Whitman attempted one in the first 19 minutes of the contest before Menta notched the game's first score in the 20th minute. The senior quad-captain took the ball herself and launched one off the crossbar and past Missionary goalkeeper Cassidy Brewin.
Just under six minutes later, in the 26th minute, Menta broke free once again and got out to a one-on-one against Brewin. The Somers, NY, native then beat the Whitman keeper for her second score of the afternoon.
"It's great to see Menta open her scoring for the season," continued Johnson. "She's been working hard and it's nice that her efforts were rewarded with a couple goals today. We're looking forward to a strong senior year from her."
NYU's backline held staunchly for the remainder of the contest, allowing just one shot on goal to the Missionaries in the 87th minute, but it was turned aside by Violet keeper
Cassie Steinberg.
HIGHLIGHTS:- It was the sixth two-goal game of Menta's NYU career. She moved into second in career points for the Violets (70) behind former teammate
Cami Crawford (74) and is now tied for third in career goals (25).
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McKennah Spagnola and
Olivia Braender-Carr each notched one shot on goal for the Violets.
- The shutout was the second of the season for Steinberg, who now has 13 for her career and is currently third in program history.
The Violets will return to the pitch for their second and final game in Hoboken this weekend on Sunday, September 13, for a scheduled 3:30 pm match with Stevens Institute of Technology.
