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#25 Women's Soccer Wins UAA Opener 4-0 Over Case Western

09/29/07

Freshman forward Laura Palumbo came off the bench to contribute two goals and two assists as the New York University women's soccer team, ranked #25 by d3kicks.com, recorded a 4-0 victory over Case Western Reserve University in the University Athletic Association (UAA) opener for both squads Saturday afternoon at Manhattan College's Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY.

Palumbo's offensive excellence helped the Violets (9-0-1) record several notable accomplishments. They not only surpassed the three total goals they scored in seven UAA contests last fall, but also notched their first UAA victory since a 2-1 triumph at Carnegie Mellon University on Oct. 16, 2005, a span of 10 matches. In addition, NYU captured its first UAA opener since defeating Case Western Reserve 1-0 on Oct. 2, 2004, in Cleveland.

"It's a great win for the program," NYU first-year head coach Werner T. Dasbach said. "The players deserve the recognition for their fight and their play today."

Palumbo and freshman forward Rebecca Assing each tickled the twine twice as NYU produced its most goals in a UAA game since a 4-3 loss at home against Brandeis University on Nov. 6, 2003.

Palumbo started the onslaught by tapping home a corner kick from sophomore Lucy Dolly Caires at 26:36 to make it 1-0. Caires continued her stellar early offensive play by recording her sixth assist.

NYU came out of halftime ahead only 1-0, but kept the Case Western Reserve (6-4) backline under siege. Assing converted a nifty feed from Palumbo and buried a shot from 15 yards out to make it 2-0 at 69:36.

At 75:43, Palumbo converted a Spartan turnover by firing off a rocket that hit the back of the net from 25 yards out.

Assing capped the scoring at 80:32 off another pass from Palumbo, scoring from 18 yards out.

"Our players deserve all of the credit. It's important for us to be inspiring in the final third," Dasbach said. "That comes from having good composure, trusting and connecting. Those were great goals."

NYU's defense was equally solid, as sophomore Nicole Stutz helped lead a stout effort in front of senior goalkeeper Katie Barnes (two saves), who recorded her fifth shutout.

Kirsten McClain started in net for Case Western Reserve, allowing two goals while making three saves. At 74:15 she yielded to Nikki Frankenstein, who allowed the other two goals without making a save.

NYU owned a 12-7 edge on shots and an 8-6 advantage on corner kicks.

NYU will look to win its 10th match on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7pm when it hosts William Paterson University at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ.

The Violets have only won 10 or more matches three times in their 13 seasons of play, the last coming when they went 11-5-5 in 2002 en route to winning its only UAA Championship and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship.