The intensity and chippy nature of October soccer between two teams jockeying for position in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings was apparent today, October 9, at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.

New York University's No. 7 ranked Men's Soccer team hosted Carnegie Mellon University and an intense, double-overtime match ensued, as five total cards were issued and both sides combined for 21 fouls throughout. 

"It was obviously a massive battle on the field between two good UAA teams," said Head Coach Kim Wyant. "To come from behind is always promising, hanging in there and believing in ourselves."

Defensive breakdowns and an NYU foul in the box in the 19th minute set up Josh Baugh with a penalty kick that he converted, giving the visiting Tartans (6-2-3, 0-1-1) a 1-0 edge early.

That score held up at halftime as evenly-matched play followed Baugh's tally with the Violets (8-1-1, 2-0-0) out-shooting CMU 6-3 in the first and trailing 7-3 in corners.

In the second, a short cross in the box from Arkan Tahsildaroglu (Istanbul, Turkey/Berkshire School (MA)) found the foot of Alex Rovirosa-Illa (Llinars del Valles, Barcelona/Hamelin Laie International ), who tapped it in for the equalizer in the 64th minute

New York's aggressiveness continued to intensify as the game went on, leading 14-3 in shots through the second half and first overtime. Contested balls and runs down the wing included plenty of physicality, while engaged spectators amplified the already tense atmosphere.

The gridlock remained after 100 minutes, but it didn't take long in the second extra period for the Violets to clinch victory.

Nathan Bennett (Wilton, CT/Wilton) notched the golden goal just 40 seconds into 2OT, firing an unassisted strike from 15 yards out. It was the rookie's sixth goal of his debut campaign and third in two UAA contests to date.

"I thought Joss Cohen (Calabasas, CA/Calabasas), before he went out, was having an exceptional game," commented Wyant. "We just persisted, believed in ourselves and knew we would continue to get chances. That's all you can do when you're chasing the game."

NYU held a 21-6 edge in shots overall, led by Tahsildaroglu's 10, while Mancuso saved the only non-penalty shot he saw on goal in his eighth win of the season.

The Violets have a quick turnaround, hosting the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Tuesday, October 12, at Gaelic Park (7:30 pm). The original matchup was scheduled for September 1.