Men’s Soccer Draws Thrilling Match with NJIT

By Carter Schum | September 29, 2025

Roko Branko Mrvelj (#5) scored his first UAlbany goal on Saturday (9/27). 

Photo Credit: Bruce Dudek | UAlbany Athletics  

On Saturday (9/27), the University at Albany Men’s Soccer team drew 1-1 with the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders. 

The early portion of the game was controlled by the Highlanders, as they were able to get the first shot of the game in the first minute, and put a large amount of pressure on the Great Dane defense in the opening minutes. 

UAlbany nearly got on the board in the 18th minute, as Ivar Gissurarson nearly deposited a long pass from Alexander Clive into the NJIT net, however it flew over the Highlander goalkeeper and out of play. 

The teams continued to play a physical game, as a numerous number of fouls were committed in the first 30 minutes of the match with shots coming few and far between. 

UAlbany seemed to have the upper hand on the Highlanders throughout the first half, as they limited NJIT’s time on attack and were able to make the Highlander defense be on top of their game. 

NJIT’s best scoring chance of the first half came in the 39th minute, when Giovanni Massacesi was unable to slot the ball in from close past Great Dane goalkeeper Andrej Krivokapic. He attempted to deposit the rebound, however the UAlbany defense was able to clear the ball. 

The Great Danes would get on the board first, as Roko Branko Mrvelj fired home a corner kick from Brennan McDermott in the 40th minute to put UAlbany in front 1-0. 

Despite pushing for a second, they would be unable to score and the first half would end 1-0. 

UAlbany nearly scored within the first minute of the second half, when Gissurarson fired a shot from in close, but was unable to keep it on target as it went wide left of the NJIT net. 

The Great Danes began to take control of the match in the second half, as they were able to limit the chances of the Highlanders while gaining the confidence to push higher up the field more often than the first half. 

UAlbany continued to search for a second goal, however several good chances were stifled by the Highlanders who appeared to be getting more and more fatigued as the half progressed. 

The Great Danes nearly found their second goal in the 69th minute, as Jordan Shullenberger fired a shot that almost went into the net, however the NJIT goalkeeper made a sprawling save. 

NJIT found the back of the net in the 78th minute, as Caio Carrara deposited a cross from 15 yards out that was touched by several Great Danes but not cleared to level the score 1-1. 

Following the goal, the Highlanders swung all of the momentum back in their favor, as they were able to maintain possession in the UAlbany zone for several minutes, but were unable to score again. 

In the 86th minute, a dangerous Great Dane Free Kick was nearly shot directly into the net by Andre Navas, however the Highlander defense stood strong and denied UAlbany a go ahead goal. 

A last second push by UAlbany in the last minute fell short, and the game ended in a 1-1 Draw. 

With the result, both teams’ records moved to 2-4-3 on the year. 

Men’s soccer is back at home on October 17th when they take on the UMBC Retrievers.