The New York University men's soccer team earned a 2-0 victory over Vassar College on Tuesday, September 22, at Lubetkin Field in Newark, NJ.
With the victory, the Violets extended their unbeaten run to eight consecutive matches, marking the program's second longest unbeaten streak to start a season since 2012, when NYU went nine straight games without a loss.
The Violets controlled possession and applied consistent pressure in the attacking third throughout the opening minutes, generating multiple shots and scoring opportunities as they searched for the breakthrough.
NYU eventually struck first to take a 1-0 advantage over Vassar. Demir Calkap capitalized on a rebound off a shot from Giulio Potenti, collecting the loose ball and firing it into the lower-left corner of the net to give NYU the early lead and momentum.
The Violets wasted little time adding to their advantage. Off a corner kick from Fabio Orozco, Tim Brdaric controlled the ball in front of goal amid a crowd of Brewers before a shot into the back of the net extended the lead to 2-0.
"Getting two good goals in the first half relieved a lot of tension for us coming into the second half," Head Coach Kim Wyant said.
NYU continued to push forward through the remainder of the half, maintaining its offensive pressure and creating opportunities in front of goal. The Violets carried their 2-0 advantage into the halftime break.
Vassar increased its pressure after halftime, but the Violets' defense held firm throughout the final 45 minutes to keep the Brewers off the scoreboard.
"We knew that there would be a different attitude from Vassar coming out in the second half," Wyant added. "We withstood a lot of attacking moments that they had. They're a very scrappy, committed team and a very, very good team."
NYU goalkeeper Gabino Talisayon helped preserve the clean sheet as the Violets battled through Vassar's second-half push.
"I was happy that we were able to maintain the shutout," Wyant expressed. "Gambino came up really big for us to keep them off the scoreboard."
With the Violets playing on tired legs, NYU continued to withstand Vassar's pressure through the final whistle.
"We were facing a lot of players on tired legs, but we managed to find a way to withstand the momentum shift and walk away with a W," Wyant concluded.
The Violets held on through the closing minutes to secure the 2-0 victory and extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches.
NYU ended the night with 17 shots on goal keeping Vassar to 6, with 11 on target to the Brewers' 2.
The Violet's return to the pitch this Saturday, September 26 against Stockton University at Galloway, NJ
