NYU Takes Down #2 Emory

Erin Ahmed's goal in the 109th minute lifted the New York University women's soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 double-overtime victory over Emory University, the top-ranked team in Division III, on Sunday, October 28, at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY.
 
The Violets (10-6-1, 2-3-1) handed the #1 Eagles (11-1-5, 3-1-2) their first loss of 2012. The defeat was also Emory's first in both the regular season and the University Athletic Association (UAA) in more than two years.
 
In beating the Eagles for the first time in 18 tries, NYU moved up to fifth place in the UAA standings with one game left. Emory fell to third, while #5 Washington University clinched the UAA Championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Highlights
 
- Ahmed's game-winning goal came on a counter with just 1:28 left in the second and final overtime period. Leslie Smith fed Ahmed in the middle, and she took one touch and placed a left-footed shot to the far post.
 
- The Violets nearly scored just 14 minutes into the game, when Cami Crawford made a long run at goal on a counter and chipped a shot over the charging keeper and off the crossbar.
 
- NYU also had a great chance in the 60th minute, when Serra Tumay played a pass forward to Claire Shanahan in the box. But, Kaele Leonard dove and stopped Shanahan's shot.
 
- Despite facing a total of 31 shots, the Violet defense kept the Eagles off the board. Meg Patten made eight saves in goal to record the shutout, while defender Madeline Clappin contributed a huge defensive save on the goal line midway through the second OT.
 
- Though NYU was ultimately outshot 31-12, the Violets put the same number of shots on frame (eight) as Emory.
 
"I am so proud of the effort the team put into our performance today," said Head Coach Michele Canning. "I give the players a tremendous amount of credit for their hard work, determination and ability to stick to the plan for the game. It was a solid win against a great team."
 
NYU plays its final regular season game on Saturday, November 3, against UAA rival Brandeis University. The contest, which is also a Tear It Up! event, begins at 11:00 am.