EWING, N.J. – Trailing in the closing minutes of the opening contest in the 2026 campaign, an
Alec Pineda (Yonkers, N.Y./Port Chester) header in the 89
th led the Manhattanville University men's soccer team to a 2-2 draw at The College of New Jersey on Tuesday night. Both teams open the new year with an 0-0-1 mark following Tuesday's decision.
With the scored knotted up at 1-1 entering the 85
th minute of play, the Lions took claim to their second lead of the night as Aidan Ayar put the home side up late with just 5:32 left on the clock. As time worked against them, Manhattanville was able to generate pressure in the offensive end, leading to a failed clear attempt by TCNJ. The ball was corralled by
Peter Scotto (North Bellmore, N.Y./Wellington C. Mepham), who quickly dropped it off to
Alex Guevara (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) along the far sideline. The junior transfer centered the ball beautifully for a leaping Pineda, who was able to knock the ball into the left netting to cap off the Valiants' second comeback of the night.
For Pineda, it marked the senior's tenth goal of his collegiate career. Guevara picked up his first collegiate assist on the primary helper, while Scotto was credited with the secondary assist for his first collegiate point.
Leading up to the dramatic closing seven minutes, the teams played a scoreless first half with four shots and two saves apiece on both ends of the pitch. The Lions finally broke the stalemate at the 64
th minute as Matt Will netted the opening tally. As would be the case at the end of the night, TCNJ's lead would not last long as
Nickolas Pagan (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream North) opened his sophomore campaign with the equalizer five minutes later from
Roberto Velasquez-Osorio (Monticello, N.Y./Monticello).
Another new face for the 2026 Valiant squad,
Jesse James de Ruiter (Hoensbroek, the Netherlands/Eijkhagen Charlemagne College) got the start in the net. The junior transfer made his Division III debut with a three-save performance in the draw.
Manhattanville held an 11-9 shot advantage, putting six on net to TCNJ's five. Pagan and Velasquez-Osorio led the offensive effort with two shots on target each, with Pagan finishing with a team-high three total shot attempts.
Tiernan McLaughlin (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) accounted for the Valiants' only other shot on net early in the second half.
A strong starting point for the season to come, the Valiants scored both goals against Sean Najdzinowicz, the reigning NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year. The sophomore only surrendered two goals twice last season over 15 games.
Tuesday marked the first time since 2023 the Valiants opened the season with a draw.
Up Next
The Valiants return to New Jersey on Friday to take on FDU-Florham at 4 p.m.
VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and YouTube. #WeAreValiant #GoValiants
