Freshman forward Tommy Walters’ late breakthrough in the second half led the NYU men’s soccer team to victory over New Jersey City University for their 10th win of the season. The Violets are now a stout 10-1 on the year, and have been dominant as of late. While Tuesday’s 1-0 score was less commanding than recent games have been, but the Violets were never really in trouble, as they outshot NJCU by a tally of 10-1.

The first half saw no scoring thanks to solid play from NJCU keeper Tyler Krychkowski, who kept out three shots in the first ten minutes. NYU was creating opportunity after opportunity but not being rewarded. They seemed to be unlucky on Tuesday, especially in the 10th minute when sophomore forward Bryan Walsh ripped a shot that ricocheted off the post. The Violets were also caught offside four times in the first half, and a total of seven times during the game. Violet keeper Lucas Doucette was hardly needed, only recording one save in the game, which came in the 13th minute. NYU’s defense blocked most of NJCU’s shots before they could reach Doucette, looking staunch in the back and midfield all game. The Violets’ best chance in the first half came when sophomore forward Reece Barton put a nice through ball in for freshman forward Malcolm Montilus. The latter was one-on-one with the goalie, but it was Krychkowski again coming up with the save for NJCU. He finished with nine saves on the day.

“Our team has scored late before, so there was really no panic going into [the second] half 0-0,” Walters said. “But we knew the longer we didn’t score, the better chance they had.”

The breakthrough NYU needed came in the second half, when sophomore captain Petter Aasa set up Walters. Aasa swung the ball in from the right end line, leaving Walters wide open to finally tap one in past the resilient Krychkowski in the 74th minute. It was Walters’ third goal of the season and Aasa’s fourth assist.

“I think we can be so resilient because we have such a deep team,” Walters said. “On any given day, anyone on the squad can step up and hurt the opponent.”

NYU pressed further, but they saw a few shots miss wide, and Krychkowski kept them from obtaining a 2-0 lead with a great save as time expired.

The 10 wins on the season are already four more than last season’s campaign. It has no doubt been a great start for the squad, as they’ve been singing their trademark victory song, “The Auld Triangle,” on nearly all their bus rides home. Perhaps it’s a good luck charm.

The Violets have a tough UAA game coming up, as they will travel to Cleveland, Ohio, to take on Case Western Reserve University. They will look to extend their record to 11-1, and snag their second win in conference play.

Email Bobby Wagner at [email protected].