The New York University women's soccer team posted its second consecutive shutout to open the 2023 season, defeating Vassar College 3-0 on Sunday, September 3, in Newark, NJ.

Playing its home opener at Rutgers Newark University, NYU utilzed an early goal and a stifling defense to begin the season 2-0.

On a stifling hot afternoon, Catie Collins put the Violets ahead to stay with only six minutes gone (6:05 to be exact) in the contest. She took a brilliant pass from Gabriella Funk and drove it past the Brewers' goalkeeper, Teresa Zommer. 

"We talked in the pre-game huddle about trying to put one in right from the start so we could control the pace," Collins said. "And that's what we did."

The score remained 1-0 at halftime. But, when Dominique Bevaqua was taken down in the box at 55:35, Riley Mullady converted the penalty kick and doubled the NYU lead.

Rena Kalargiros capped the day's scoring when she accepted a pass from Collins and completed the task at 69:24.

NYU keeper Riley Felsher recorded the shutout, having to save only one shot (which came in the game's final two minutes). The Violets' defense held the Brewers to only five shots, while the NYU offense attempted 18.  

"We tied with Vassar last year and we knew how important it was to get a win today," Collins added.

The Violets return to action this Friday, September 8, when they face Widener University at 5:15pm. The game will be held at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, as part of the Engineering Cup.