Leslie Smith’s goal with 2:38 left in regulation lifted the New York University women’s soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 victory at Carnegie Mellon University in University Athletic Association (UAA) play on Friday, October 28, in Pittsburgh, PA.
 
Serra Tumay fed Smith from midfield on the right edge of the box. Smith then blasted a shot to the far left post, breaking a 2-2 deadlock and putting the Violets (11-5, 2-3) ahead for good in a back-and-forth contest that NYU led three times.
 
“It’s great to get a UAA win on the road against a solid team in Carnegie Mellon,” said head coach Michele Canning. “I was really happy with our attacking performance as we’ve been concentrating on our movement at practice.”
 
The Violets opened up a 1-0 advantage over the Tartans (8-6, 2-3) just 7:34 in. Tumay won the ball in the box and passed back to Erin Ahmed, who placed a perfect shot just under the crossbar.
 
The Tartans responded to tie the score in the 26th minute. Jordyn Greenberg played a free kick into the box, which Madison Nagle headed in.
 
The score remained 1-1 through halftime before NYU pulled ahead again in the second half. Imani Ribadeneyra scored the go-ahead goal for the Violets in the 60th minute. Mary Clair made a long throw into the box, which Ribadeneyra headed to herself and knocked in.
 
Carnegie Mellon tied the score once again 13 minutes later. Brittany Couture and Rachel Contopolous set up Savina Reid, who put a shot into the right corner.
 
Smith’s goal in the final minutes, however, would not be equalized, giving the Violets their first victory in Pittsburgh since 2005.
 
Tumay’s two helpers moved her up to third in school history in career assists, with 13.
 
For the game, NYU held an 11-7 advantage in shots. Meg Patten made three saves in goal for the Violets, while Anna Albi totaled four stops for the Tartans.
 
NYU returns to action on Sunday when it faces fifth-ranked and current UAA points leader Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 pm.

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