University of Rochester Athletics

In the conference opener for both teams, the University of Rochester and New York University women's soccer teams battled to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at UR's Fauver Stadium.

The Yellowjackets and Violets both see their identical records to 5-3-2 and 0-0-1 in University Athletic Association play.
 
Early in the game, senior Jessica Smith had a great chance to get the Yellowjackets on the board when teammate Grace Van Der Ven threaded a 25 yard pass between two defenders.  Her pass went right to Smith who was challenged by NYU keeper Cassie Steinberg who was able to break up the threat.  The loose ball was then cleared away by Violet defender Phebe Miller.
 
NYU's first good chance came in the 14th minute courtesy of sophomore Melissa Menta who broke in past the Yellowjacket defense in on UR goaltender Aubrey Jaicks.  Jaicks made a nice slide tackle to break up the goal opportunity for her first of nine saves on the night.
 
In the scoreless first half, both teams had five shots total, NYU had five on goal compared to just one for the home Yellowjackets.
 
Rochester's Lee Stagg got the second off to a hasty start when her shot 1:30 into the half was just a bit high and cracked the crossbar above Steinberg's head.  The NYU keeper ended with four saves in the contest.
 
NYU would apply pressure after Stagg's close call, firing three shots on net in the next four minutes, none of which were able to beat Jaicks in the UR goal.  The junior was making just her second career start in goal for Rochester.
 
Two corners highlighted the 79th minute for the Yellowjackets, with Katie Grasso getting the best scoring break, but her shot on an open net was blocked away by Violet defender Maddy Clappin.
 
Early in overtime, NYU's Azia Javier had a good opportunity to end the game after receiving a nice pass in the box, but once again Jaicks was on point in challenging the attacking player, eliminating the chance in the process.  The two teams remained scoreless through 90 minutes, sending the contest to overtime.
 
Rochester made the most of its only corners in overtime number one, but Grasso's header from Van Der Ven went just high.  Smith had another scoring chance broken up on the next Van Der Ven corner when Steinberg punched away a ball off a short cross.
 
The Yellowjackets' Kathryn Rowe provided the lone scoring break halfway though overtime two after a great cross from Smith, but the senior couldn't control the pass and her shot went high of the Violet net.