In a battle of top-20 teams, the #17-ranked New York University women's soccer team defeated #20 The College of New Jersey 4-2 on Saturday, September 6, in the opening match of the TCNJ Classic in Ewing, NJ.

The Violets (2-1) never trailed in the contest, but could not shake the Lions (1-1-1) until the second half.

After NYU's Sari Frankl opened the scoring on an assist from Alexa Buxbaum at the 19:21 mark, the hosts tied the match at 32:01.

Marlee Scanlon's tally into the top of the net off a feed from Carmen Cicerini at 36:04 again gave NYU the lead. However,  TCNJ knotted it up just before halftime (43:37).
 
Early in the second half, the Violets took the lead for good when Buxbaum converted following an assist from Sydney Freese at 48:59.

Neither team scored again until Cicerini's unassisted goal in the final minute (89:01) clinched the NYU victory.

"I'm super proud to get a victory against a very strong TCNJ team," said Head Coach Scott Waddell. "They are one of the storied programs of Division 3 soccer, so to get a win is a big deal."

The Violets out-shot the LIons 21-11, 14-7 on goal.

NYU keeper Mia Capo recorded five saves to earn the victory. TCNJ's Ellen Williams recorded 10 saves.  

"Today was mostly about our group learning and growing," Waddell surmised. "We have a lot of new players and we took some steps forward today." 

The Violets return to the pitch on Sunday for their second match of the TCNJ Classic. NYU will face Arcadia University at 11am.