HILLSIDE, N.J.  -  The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw on the road against NJIT Saturday afternoon at Kean University Stadium. The Knights move to 5-0-1 on the season, and will return to action Tuesday, September 19 when they host Rider at University Stadium. 

Goalkeeper Tiago Capela turned aside six of seven shots in the decision. Ahu Obhakhan provided the lone tally for FDU on the evening, his fourth of the season.  

"The guys showed tremendous heart this afternoon and a tie is a fair result, head coach Seth Roland said. The game was like a fight in a phone booth. Very physical and intense."

Saturday's clash had all the passion and energy you'd expect from a matchup featuring two squads off to hot starts and already making a name for themselves in the still early 2017 season, and the Knights and Highlanders wasted no time getting into the swing of things. 

Capela saw some action in the games opening minutes as NJIT took possession of the ball and efficiently worked its way into the FDU third of the pitch. Mamadou Guirassy had what looked like a clean look at the net in the third minute, however his effort was skillfully blocked away by members of the FDU backline  and out of danger. Mamadou earned another prime scoring chance on a header off a set piece a few minutes later, however his effort sailed wide. 

Both squads continued to their pace, and soon enough it was the Knights who began to find their stride offensively.  

Jacob Labovitz tested NJIT keeper Victor Pujades with a powerful strike from inside the box, however Pujades was up to the task. Fairleigh Dickinson continued to work, earning a pair of corners in the process, but could not manage to convert either chance.  

Obhakhan finally broke the stalemate in the 39th minute after he was awarded a penalty kick after being hauled down in the box, and the redshirt junior made the Highlanders pay, slotting home a perfect shot into the lower left-hand corner of the net. 

The Knights went into halftime up 1-0, however NJIT came out firing in the second half peppering Capela with a salvo of shots, all of which the freshman managed to keep out of the back of the net. Fairleigh Dickinson continued to to play aggressively and efficiently in their own end, blunting a formidable NJIT attack. 

Daniel Lasarte had a chance to put FDU up 2-0 in the 69th minute, however Pujades would not be beaten again. 

After another bout of possession and aggressive attack, Paulino Marques finally broke through for NJIT, cashing in on a rebound a few feet from the goalmouth after Capela managed to turn away the initial shot to make it 1-1.

 Capela was called upon yet again in the final ten minutes of the game, making a big save against Pablo Jimenez in the 85th minute.  Defenders Jamie Leddy and Wojciech Piwowarczyk were rock solid presences as well, coming up with another series of huge blocks in NJIT's late-game flurry. 

"Tiago turned in an outstanding performance in goal, while Leddy and Wojciech were committed to not allowing the nation's leading goal scorer (Mamadou Guirassey) to score," Roland said. Marcus and Justin won a major share of individual battles defensively on the flanks."

The game would head to overtime, where Jacob Labovitz nearly ended things on a header off a beautiful cross, but his effort was again swallowed up by Pujades.  FDU sustained a pair of Highlanders corners to end the first overtime, as well as a last-ditch effort in overtime number two to keep the stalemate intact until the final buzzer. 

The Knights ended the evening with nine shots including five on goal. 

"I'm pleased with the intensity and commitment from the opening whistle to the end of the game," Roland said.