With three consecutive second-half goals, the New York University men’s soccer team recorded a 3-2 win at the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Wednesday night, September 21, in Kings Point, NY.

 

The game was the Violets’ (3-3-1) fifth in their first seven games of the season against a team that, like them, reached the NCAA Division III Championship last year. The victory came against a Mariner (5-2) squad that reached the NCAA “Elite Eight” in 2010 and is currently ranked #5 in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

 

Joseph Lee, Kyle Green and Ryan Horch scored NYU’s goals, giving the Violets a 3-0 lead with roughly 12 minutes to play in regulation. Merchant Marine managed to score two quick goals, but NYU prevented a tying goal and held on for the important non-conference victory.

 

“It was great to get a result at the Mariners’ place,” said NYU head coach Joe Behan. “In the first half, they knocked it around a bit in the middle, but in the second half we were a completely different team, making tackles and winning the ball in the air. We competed a lot better.

 

“Our attack did well tonight,” added Behan. “We were quick and dangerous. Now we just have some work to do in the final phase of the game.”

 

Lee broke the scoreless deadlock early in the 50^th minute on a corner kick. The 6-3 defender rose above the pack in front and headed the ball home for his first career goal.

 

Five minutes later, Green expanded the Violets’ lead to 2-0 on an outstanding strike, firing a long-range blast from the right side into the upper left corner.

 

With just under 12 minutes to play, Horch padded NYU’s advantage with his first career goal. The junior side-stepped a Mariner defender and bent a shot into the far corner from 25 yards out.

 

With just 7:57 left in regulation, Merchant Marine began its rally on a goal from Josh Reicks. Then, with 2:37 left, Andrew MacKenzie buried a feed from Hollis Irvine, bringing Merchant Marine to within one goal.

 

But the Violets stopped the bleeding and held on for the win. Jonah Poster finished with five saves between the pipes for NYU, while Gary Poulin made four stops for the Mariners.

 

The Violets return to action on Monday when they host Hunter College at Gaelic Park in their final non-conference tune-up before beginning University Athletic Association (UAA) play. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.