Emory University's chance at an undefeated regular season came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the  top-ranked Eagles fell in the closing minutes of the second overtime period to University Athletic Association (UAA) rival New York University.

Playing through cool, blustery winds in the Bronx, just hours prior to Hurricane Sandy's arrival in New York City, Emory dropped to 11-1-5 this season, and to 3-0-2 in UAA games.  The Violets improved to 10-6-1 on the year, including a 2-3-1 mark in conference action.

NYU's Erin Ahmed struck for her fifth goal of the season at the 108:32 mark, in the contest's second overtime.  The goal came on a Violets' counter attack, set up by Leslie Smith, who drove down the near flank before crossing a ball over the middle to an open Ahmed, setting up a one-on-one with the keeper that she was able to convert for the 'golden goal.'

The loss was Emory's first in its last 41 regular season games, the longest active streak in Division III women's soccer.  Prior to Sunday's game, the Eagles had not lost a regular season game since October 9, 2010.

The Eagles dodged a bullet earlier in the game, as in the 15^th minute, when NYU's Cami Crawford cut up the field on a breakaway, setting up a one-on-one with goalkeeper Erica Stein.  However, Crawford's shot went off the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.  The game would remain deadlocked through the remainder of the first half, with the Eagles holding a 9-5 advantage in total shots, and both teams registering two shots on goal during the frame.

The second half would prove to pass without a goal being scored as well, despite the Eagles taking control of possession for the majority of the next 45 minutes.  Emory registered an additional 16 shots during the second half, including four on goal, while limiting NYU to four total shots during the period.  Emory's second half goalkeeper, Kaele Leonard, made three saves to keep the game scoreless and send it to overtime.

In the 93^rd minute, junior Clare Mullins came close to ending the match with shot from inside the 18-yard box that was saved by the NYU goalkeeper, Meg Patten.  Three minutes later, junior Veronica Romero sent a shot on goal from the near wing that was also saved by Patten.  NYU's Serra Tumay would place a soft shot on goal that Leonard saved to end the first overtime.

In the second overtime, Emory had its best chance of the game when a corner kick by Lee Bachouros bounced off a number of players in the middle of the field and headed towards the net, before an NYU defender was able to clear the threatening ball off the line.  NYU would take advantage of Emory's missed opportunity later in the frame on Ahmed's 'golden goal.'

The loss, coupled with a win by Washington University (Mo.) earlier in the day, eliminated Emory from contention for the UAA Championship with one game remaining in the regular season.  The Eagles should still be a very strong contender for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, despite missing out on the automatic bid associated with the conference title.

The Eagles will wrap-up their 2012 regular season next weekend, heading to Pittsburgh, PA to face UAA opponent and nationally 21^st ranked Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday, November 3^rd at 3:00 PM.