NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT men's soccer team is set to make its third appearance in the America East Conference semifinals on Wednesday, November 11, as the Highlanders travel to face top-seeded UAlbany with a spot in the championship match on the line.
Game Information
The match will be played at the Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium with kickoff slated for 6:30pm on ESPN+. In-game statistics will be available on UAlbanySports.com.
All-Time Series
NJIT holds a 5-4-1 advantage in the all-time series and has won three of the last four meetings, with the other contest ending in a draw.
Last Time Out vs. UAlbany (Oct. 17, 2026)
NJIT scored twice in the final 14 minutes to secure a 3-1 victory over UAlbany on Saturday at Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium, continuing its strong start to America East play during Homecoming Weekend.
The Highlanders opened the scoring just before halftime when Harusumi Takesada found the back of the net for his first career goal at 44:05 to give the Highlanders a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
UAlbany responded in the second half, as Yuta Kimata scored at 58:18 off assists from Ivar Orri Gissurarson and Shawn Tanaka to even the match at 1-1.
The Highlanders continued to push forward in search of the go-ahead goal, creating opportunities as the half progressed. Junee Lee put NJIT back in front at 76:39 with his third goal of the season, giving the Highlanders a 2-1 lead.
NJIT added to its advantage less than three minutes later when Maximus Barboto converted a penalty kick for his third goal of the season at 79:19 to extend the lead to 3-1.
2026 America East Postseason Tournament
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
All Contests Played at Higher Seed - ESPN+
First Round - Sat., Nov. 7, 2026
No. 3 Bryant 3, No. 6 Binghamton 2
No. 4 NJIT 2, No. 5 New Hampshire 1
Semifinals - Wed, Nov. 11, 2026
No. 4 NJIT at No. 1 UAlbany, 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Bryant Seed at No. 2 Vermont, 7:00 p.m.
Championship - Sun, Nov. 15, 2025
Semifinal Winners, TBD
Highlanders in Postseason
11/11/26 | No. 4 NJIT at No. 1 UAlbany | America East Semifinals
11/7/26 | W, 2-1, No. 4 NJIT vs. No. 5 UNH | America East Quarterfinals
11/9/24 | L, 0-4 at No. 4 Bryant | America East Quarterfinals
11/5/23 | L, 0-2 at No. 3 UAlbany | America East Quarterfinals
11/10/21 | L, 2-3 at No. 2 Vermont | America East Semifinals
11/6/21 | W, 2-1 at No. 3 UAlbany | America East Quarterfinals
4/15/21 | L, 0-1 at No. 2 Vermont | America East Semifinals
11/10/19 | W, 3-2 vs. No. 4 Stetson | ASUN Semifinals
11/16/19 | W, 2-1 vs. No. 2 FGCU | ASUN Finals
11/21/19 | L, 0-2 at Providence | NCAA First Round
*First NCAA appearance at the Division I level
11/3/18 | T, 3-3; No. 6 Lipscomb advances on PK's, 3-0 | ASUN Quarterfinals
11/4/16 | L, 1-2 at No. 5 Jacksonville | ASUN Quarterfinals
11/12/15 | L, 1-2 at Appalachian State | Sun Belt Quarterfinals
11/13/14 | L, 0-1 at Appalachian State | Sun Belt Quarterfinals
11/10/11| W, 4-1 vs. Howard | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/11/11 | L, 0-3 vs. Adelphi | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/12/10 | L, 0-2 vs. Adelphi | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/12/09 | W, 3-0 vs. Howard | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/13/09 | L, 0-3 vs. Adelphi | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/12/08 | W, 3-1 vs. Howard | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/13/08 | L, 0-3 vs. Adelphi | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
11/16/07 | L, 0-1 at Florida Atlantic | Atlantic Soccer Tournament
Note: First year of NCAA Division I competition for men's soccer (2004)
America East Postseason Awards
2026
Diogo Rebelo, Striker of the Year, First Team, All-Academic Team
Maximus Barboto, Midfielder of the Year, First Team
Eric Sadlocha, Second Team
Riley Davis, All-Rookie Team
Zain Thompson, All-Rookie Team
Junee Lee, All-Academic Team
Highlanders Records
9-5-4 Overall (.611)
7-3 at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium
4-1-2 America East (.714)
Highlander Leaders
Diogo Rebelo | 9G, 5A, 24PTS (Leads America East in goals and points)
Maximus Barboto | 4G, 8A, 16 PTS (Leads America East in assists; sixth in points in America East)
Zain Thompson | 4G, 2A
Eric Sadlocha | 5G, 10PTS
Andre Faerman | 1.51 GAA, 58SVS, 9-5-4 overall mark | 3Sho
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