Following one of the most memorable games in program history, New York University's Men's Soccer Team battled Connecticut College in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, November 14, in New London, CT.
The Violets (11-6-1) overcame numerous obstacles to get here. Last night, down 2-1 with 17 minutes to play, their First Round match against St. Joseph's College of Maine was delayed due to lightening and thunderstorms in the area. The game resumed hours later on a different field, and NYU defied odds to tie the score at 2-2 in the 89th minute and won in the final minute of overtime on
Arkan Tahsildaroglu's (Istanbul, Turkey/Berkshire School (MA)) golden goal.
That scintillating outcome brought them to today's showdown with Regional host Connecticut College. The Camels (15-4-1) got the best of NYU, however, advancing with a 3-0 victory.
Despite the loss, the team enjoyed a successful season that saw them advance in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons.
"Enormously proud of our season," said Head Coach
Kim Wyant. "Every single game we played with intensity and purpose. All the players represented themselves, our program and the University to the highest standards. It was a great season overall.
"Our seniors,
Louis Meeks (Ann Arbor, MI/Greenhills School),
Isaiah Boyd (Charlotte, NC/Mallard Creek),
Pablo Vargas (Weston, FL/Cypress Bay),
Oliver Kleban (Denver, CO/Blind Brook), and
Nick Vafiadis (Englewood, NJ/Bergen Catholic), were the bedrock of the team this season and I'm grateful for their four-year contributions to the program," Wyant added. "They're a big reason why we've been to two NCAA Tournaments in only three seasons."
The first half of today's battle was closely contested as the teams were tied 0-0 at the break with the Camels leading 10-2 in shots.
Connecticut then broke the gridlock in the 60th minute when Rye Jaran assisted MT Tshuma on the game's first tally. Steve Yeonas made it 2-0 with a penalty-kick score in the 69th, and the Camels added an insurance goal with four minutes to play to secure the victory.
Talal Said (Amman, Jordan/King's Academy) attempted a pair of shots for the Violets, while Vafiadis recorded five saves in his final collegiate outing.
