FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of SJC Athletics Communications

NEW LONDON, Conn. – New York University (11-5-1) edged Saint Joseph's College (16-2-2), 3-2 in overtime, in an NCAA Tournament Men's Soccer Tournament first round matchup on the campus of Connecticut College on Saturday.

Saint Joseph's held a 2-1 lead with 16 minutes remaining when the game was halted due to impending weather and lightning detection within a 10-mile radius. Both teams evacuated the Harkness Field complex and later NCAA officials, game officials, and representatives from both programs met to decide how to proceed. The decision was made to resume the suspended game  at 7:30 PM at Silfen Field, the college's lighted turf field on campus.

Transitioning from grass to turf playing surfaces, the Monks held off the Violets' offensive pressure until the 88:46 mark, when Nicholas Suter tied the game.

The teams traded opportunities in overtime and the contest appeared to be on its way to a second extra frame before Arkan Tahsildaroglu launched a laser to the top left corner of the net for the game winner.

Saint Joseph's held a 2-0 lead through just over 17 minutes of play, as senior Austin Ward (North Andover, Mass.) scored on a free kick at the 4:16 mark and converted a penalty kick 13 minutes later.

NYU was awarded a PK attempt at the 27:40 mark and Oliver Kieban buried the bid with a shot to the lower left corner, cutting the Monks' lead to 2-1.

SJC keeper David Walbridge (Hampden, Mass.) made eight saves in the loss while NYU netminder Nick Vafiadis turned away four shots in the tourney triumph.

Playing from behind for the vast majority of the contest, the Violets held advantages in shots (27-15), shots on goal (12-6), and corner kicks (6-3).