Just as he did last season against the Hawks (3-5-1), Kyle Green scored a pair of goals, both of which came in the second half. Anthony Baini, meanwhile, netted the game-winning goal just minutes before halftime, helping the Violets (4-3-1) earn a victory in their last non-conference tuneup before beginning the defense of their UAA title.

 

“It was a good win – Hunter is a good side and it took us a long time to break them down,” said NYU head coach Joe Behan. “It’s great that we got our noses in front [of .500] going into UAA play. Now we have a huge week getting ready for Case Western.”

 

Though NYU outshot Hunter 21-2 and owned a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks, it was the Hawks that had the best opportunity of the early going. On a free kick from roughly 30 yards out, Danny Vera sent a blast toward the right post. But Violet goalkeeper Jonah Poster made a fantastic diving save to keep Hunter off the board.

From there, the chances were all in NYU’s favor, as the Violet defense did not allow another Hawk shot in the first half. However, NYU did not find the back of the net until the 43^rd minute. Matt Newman fed Danny Weisbaum on the right side near midfield, and Weisbaum played a ball into the box that Baini volleyed over the goalkeeper and in for his first career goal.

 

The Violets again held Hunter to just one shot in the second half while firing 13 of their own. Green netted the second NYU goal in the 62^nd minute, taking a feed from Baini after a scramble in front and converting on a turn-and-shoot from about 12 yards out.

 

Green then scored again with just 2:39 to play. After a blast by Mickey Ingerman deflected off a defender and was stopped by the goalkeeper’s legs, Green found himself all alone in front and tapped in the easy goal.

 

Poster stopped the only other shot he faced to pick up the shutout. Hunter’s Zade Haobsh finished with seven saves between the pipes, including denying Green on a breakaway early in the second half.

 

The Violets will open their UAA title defense by hosting Case Western Reserve University on Saturday at Gaelic Park. Game time is scheduled for 11:00 am.