Ben Premo's '09 one-timer that hit the back of the net 14 minutes into the second half was not enough to hold off New York University on Saturday. The 2-1 loss marked the end of a tumulous and injury-plagued 6-9-2 season for the Judges, who went winless in the UAA this year. "We wanted to go out as a team and play for pride and to end the season on a good note," captain Scott Zackaroff '07 said. "We went out there, played well. It gave us something to work on and was a building block for next year."

The team began its 2005 campaign with an impressive 4-0 start out of post-season contention, but finished the season 2-9-2, including a dismal 0-5-2 UAA record and a nine-game winless streak at the end.

"It was a frustrating season, particularly because we started off the season so well and then it just all fell apart," coach Michael Coven said.

The NYU Violets broke open the scoring 20 minutes into the game when junior midfielder Antonio Trillo took advantage of a loose ball in the box, sliding it past goalkeeper Pat Makridakis '06. NYU tallied its second and final goal in the 35th minute when sophomore midfielder Jerrit Thayer headed in a free kick from junior Jon Simos.

The Judges came out of the break hungry to cut into their two-goal deficit. Early in the half, Premo hammered home an Evan Duval '08 cross-pass for his 10th goal of the season, reducing the spread to one. But the Judges, despite solid pressure and aggressive play, were unable to score the equalizer, bringing an unsatisfying end to their 2005 season.

"I was disappointed," Coven said. "We gave up a couple of soft goals early in the first half, but then our second half might have been our best performance of the year. It was like everything we've been working on and trying to do all season finally kicked in during the last 45 minutes of the last game of the season."

Captain Shelton Stewart '06 said that he was disappointed with the season but happy with the team's attitude in what was the last game of his career.

"We've been pretty down in the last few weeks when we haven't won any of the last few games," Stewart said. "Everyone is obviously upset about the season. But it's important that everyone tried to pull together and pick it up throughout, but on the other hand, you can't feel too good when you don't win [nine] games in a row."

Among the Judges' many obstacles this season were consistent scoring problems and costly injuries. The team relied on a rookie, Premo, to lead the Judges in scoring with 10 goals, while veteran defensive back Stewart notched six.

The team was plagued by the absence of midfield-scoring threat Yuval Ezer '07 due to an off-season hip injury, an early-season knee injury to captain Brian Bisceglia-Kane (GRAD) and a mid-season injury to starting goalkeeper Jake Knoll '08. Stewart, the team's most versatile player, was forced to move from sweeper to forward in the final game of his career because of an injury he sustained in the Oct. 28 game against Washington University in St. Louis.

The injuries frequently forced Coven to change the starting lineup.

"Every game I had to create different formations and different starting teams," Coven said. "From one game to the next we had different players who were not able to play. We weren't able to develop that chemistry that a team should have."

The close of the 2005 season brings the departure of five seniors, including Stewart.

"[Stewart's] so versatile that you can put him anywhere and he can be the best player on the field," Coven said. "We've had a few All-Americans and they were good, but they were only good at one position. [Stewart] is a special player because you can put him anywhere."

Despite the up-and-down season and loss of key seniors, the team retains a corps of talented returnees for 2006, including Premo, the team's leading scorer, as well as Jake Knoll '08, the starting keeper.

"They are a great group and they work hard," Coven said. "It's obvious that these boys love the game.