Arkan Tahsildaroglu netted a brace as New York University's men's soccer team drew 3-3 with University Athletic Association (UAA) foe Brandeis University in the regular season finale on Saturday in Newark, NJ.

NYU's five graduating student-athletes were honored prior to the match in a Senior Day ceremony: Tahsildaroglu, Connor Reynolds, Maxwell McKersie, Daniel Comas-Sanchez and Eric Smits.

"We had some challenges at the beginning of the season and I felt like the team really came together, the practices had been really good, there's been a lot of effort and a great attitude," said Head Coach Kim Wyant. "There's been a real 'team' sense and a great feeling among the group every time we show up."

The high-scoring affair saw each team lead for long stretches and two goals scored within a 1:30 span in the final minutes.

Tahsildaroglu opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finding the back of the net from a long-range free kick. The ball was spotted near the left touch line 25 yards from the goal and he lofted it over the keeper, who was a couple steps off his line, to the far post and in.

The 1-0 NYU lead held at the break with the Violets controlling possession throughout the opening 45 and out-shooting the Judges 13-6.

Brandeis equalized less than a minute into the second half, however, when Sancho Maroto Tobias headed home Gabriel Haithcock's cross. The Judges then went ahead 2-1 in the 54th minute as Maroto Tobias sent Roee Moar through down the right side who scored with a bullet of a shot at the near post.

NYU trailed for the bulk of the second half before winning a corner in the 79th minute. Alexander Kamperin lined up and sent the ball into the six-yard box which was tracked well by McKersie who tucked his right-footed finish into the bottom left corner. It was the graduate student's first goal in an NYU uniform.

Then, in the 83rd minute, Ben Trask drew a foul in NYU's half by the right touch line. Trask took the free quick quickly and found Bryce Lexow in the center circle who switched the play to Tahsildaroglu on the left wing. The Istanbul native then cut in on his right foot and curled a beauty of a shot inside the far post from 17 yards, freezing the Brandeis keeper and giving the Violets a 3-2 lead.

But, Rainer Osselmann-Chai rivaled Tahsildaroglu with a top-class goal of his own just over a minute later, taking Elan Romo's cross first time with the outside of his left foot to curl the ball off the woodwork and in. The scoring ended there as the sides settled for a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Brandeis keeper Quintin Wrabley made 14 saves in the contest while Wesley Bigbee collected five saves in his debut for NYU between the posts.

The Violets finished the 2023 season with a 5-6-5 record and 3-2-2 mark in the UAA.