The New York University women's soccer team used an early goal and great effort from its goalkeeper to hold off the University of Chicago 1-0 and remain unbeaten in University Athletic Association (UAA) action on Friday, October 26, in Chicago.

Maddie Peña scored the game's only goal in the fourth minute and Meghan Marhan stopped all 11 of Chicago's shots on goal to push the Violets (9-4-3, 4-0-1 UAA) to their first victory over the Maroons (13-2-1, 4-1-0) since 2002.

"Scoring early was crucial," said Peña, a senior captain. "It set the tone for us and helped us prove to each other that we could absolutely win this one."

Peña's early strike was assisted by Ellie Marks, who passed a ball through the defenders and right to her teammate. From there, Peña tapped it past the Chicago goalkeeper and into the back of the net for her seventh goal of the season.

Chicago, which came into the game ranked 10th in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll, out-shot NYU 29-5 overall, but could not figure out a way to get the ball past Marhan. 

"Meghan and the defense were awesome today, especially at critical moments," added Peña. 

Marhan, a sophomore goalkeeper, made several big saves down the stretch and was helped out by the crossbar in the 79th minute. Five of her career-high 11 saves came in the final five minutes of the contest.

It won't get any easier for the Violets as they continue their UAA Midwest road trip on Sunday at Washington University in St. Louis. The Bears are currently ranked #1 in Division III and have won all 15 of their games this season. Kickoff is slated for 1:30pm CT in St. Louis and the winner of the game will find themselves on top of the UAA standings heading into the final contest of the season. 

"There is no question that Sunday is another big one for us," concluded Peña. "If we play our game and follow coach's game plan, I think we can keep this streak going."