University held Albany out with a staunch first-half defensive effort, but when Albany striker Jeremy Morris scored early in the second half, it was one-way traffic for the three-time champion.
Two further goals followed for Albany through striker Nathan Gilbert and midfielder Gabe Rawcliffe, and despite a late surge from University, the students could not penetrate Albany's defence.
Albany player-coach Nick Elder said he thought his team performed well and ''created a lot of chances up front''.
''We struggled to score in the first half, but our structure was generally pretty good,'' he said.
Albany suffered a major loss in the off-season when Black Stick Kane Russell and Junior Black Stick Callum Bailey left Dunedin, but Elder said the new younger players in his side were fitting in well.
Goal-scorer Rawcliffe said it was a good performance and he was pleased Albany managed to hold on to the challenge shield.
''We held on to it all last year so it was quite good to hold on to it,'' Rawcliffe said.
Albany plays KETOB A next Saturday and will not have to defend the challenge shield.
In other games on Saturday, Kings United A beat University Blue 3-1, and Taieri Tuataras thumped KETOB A 7-1.
