Score: UAlbany 1, NJIT 1
 
Location: Mal Simon Field in Newark, N.J.
 
Records: UAlbany (3-4-1) | NJIT (3-2-5)
 
Short Story: Sydney Kofton's first career goal forces a draw against NJIT in the Great Danes' America East opener.
 
Key Stats 

• Sydney Kofton scored her first career goal
• Tiffany Bernot recorded her third career assist
• Megan Hart recorded seven saves
• UAlbany outshot NJIT 23-19, including 11-7 in the first half 

Head Coach Sade Ayinde: "It's always hard to win on the road, so it was a good result for us to come back from being down and to get a tie.  We created some decent chances and played some good soccer.  It will be another tough conference game for us next Sunday against Maine, but it's a challenge that we are excited for."

How it Happened 

• The University at Albany women's soccer team opened its 2023 America East schedule on the road on Sunday, paying a visit to NJIT.  The Highlanders were unbeaten at home through the first part of their non-conference schedule, boasting a 3-0-3 record at Mal Simon Stadium.
• UAlbany commanded possession in the first half, controlling the ball for 64% of the time.  The Great Danes also had an advantage in shots taken, 11-7, over the first 45 minutes.  Despite the Great Danes' pressure, only four of the team's 11 shots were on target.
• NJIT withstood the UAlbany offense and counterattacked in the 37th minute.  Briana Andreoli drew UAlbany goalkeeper Megan Hart off her line, cut around Hart, and scored on an open net to put the Highlanders up 1-0 just before halftime.
• Joanna Van Royen took two shots in the first six minutes of the second half, keeping up UAlbany's pressure from the first period.  Although they only put a small dent in UAlbany's possession advantage, NJIT did draw even in shots taken in the second half, with each team firing off 12.
• The Great Danes drew a free kick just beyond midfield in the 71st minute.  Tiffany Bernot served the ball towards the middle of the NJIT box, where freshman midfielder Sydney Kofton connected and scored to tie the game at one.  It was Kofton's first career goal.
• Both teams had their chances over the final 18 minutes to steal three points and a victory, but both defenses and goalkeepers held firm and the game ended in a 1-1 draw, UAlbany's first of the season.  The Great Danes ended the game holding a 23-19 advantage in shots taken, with NJIT pulling slightly ahead in corner kicks, 8-6.

Next: UAlbany hosts Maine on September 24.