Box Score RIVERDALE, N.Y. - It took a tremendous defensive effort - including a 10-save first half from a freshman goalie - and the powerful left foot of Bard College junior Hallie Nolan to stun New York University in a non-league women's soccer match on Saturday afternoon.

NYU (3-3-1) dominated the first half, peppering freshman keeper Lily Harris with 10 shots. Bard (3-3-1) managed one, and it appeared at halftime like the Raptors would probably be relieved to leave the field with a tie.

The second half was played more evenly, however. Shots on goal in the final 45 minutes were 4-4.

NYU had a great chance to score in the 81st minute. Sophomore Melissa Menta got loose on the right side and she made a touch on a ball played in front of her. As she ran onto it, freshman keeper Kelsey O'Brien made a decisive move off her line to try to get to the rolling ball before Menta could reach it.

Menta reached the ball first but rushed the shot and pushed it wide as O'Brien came charging out.

In the 84th minute, a rather innocuous throw-in from Isabel Keddy-Hector was retrieved by Bard freshman Isabella Wilcher outside the corner of the box on the right side. She slipped a pass to Sylvia Kool, who ran to the end line, then slotted a perfect long pass that eluded everyone except the left-footed Hallie Nolan, who ran onto it on the other side of the top of the box and beat Cassie Steinberg (Boca Raton, FL) to the far post.

It was Bard's first goal against NYU in three games all-time, and it gave Bard it's first-ever win over the Violets in women's soccer. NYU topped Bard, 1-0, in the ECAC Tournament in 2009, and routed Bard, 5-0, in Annandale last fall.

Harris made 10 saves and O'Brien made four for Bard, which will next play on Wednesday at home against Sage. You can follow that game via Live Stats right here.