The No. 13 ranked Rowan men’s soccer team completed its fourth shutout in a row, putting away Kean University 3-0 on Wednesday, Oct. 23.  

After a tight first half that ended with zeros on the board, the Profs took off on three goals by Ryan Cleary, Johnny Troiano, and Jason Barragan. Troiano and Cleary now combine for 20 goals on the season, a dangerous combination that has been tough to stop this year.

“It’s the difference in each game and it’s the difference this season,” head coach Scott Baker said. “I think the Montclair game was a completely different game because we had people that could score, and they didn’t for that game. Not like our guys right now.  As we come into this last part of the season, if they can keep doing that, we’re going to be really dangerous.”

Dylan Aportela had four saves to extend the scoreless streak, including a one-on-one save that kept the game tied at zero and lit a fire in the offense.  

“I’m very proud of what I did today,” Aportela said. “But I’m even more proud of what the boys did. In the second half, they picked it up and did what they had to do, we got some goals and kept it in our head. Starting out with that first one-on-one save, a lot of guys told me ‘You kept us in, and you got us the momentum.’ I don’t want to take the credit, I give it all to everybody.”

Cleary lined up a free kick at 54:44 and drilled it into the lower right corner to give Rowan the lead.  

“Cleary scoring that free kick, that’s what he does,” Aportela said. “He’s a beauty at it. That first free kick is the momentum we need, and from there we just go off. Every single time.”

As the Profs gained confidence from the goal, the pressure fell on the Cougars to push the issue and get scoring opportunities. The Profs were able to force a turnover and Johnny Troiano took advantage, scoring Rowan’s second goal off Joey Kurak’s assist at 67:19.

“The most satisfying thing [about Johnny] is just to watch him score goals,” Baker said. “It’s his top thing, and it’s unique. It’s a skill, and you have to have a knack for it. I can’t put it into words how great it is, it’s amazing.”

After a great win against a top team in the county at Montclair State, the Profs just needed to relax, and stick to what they have been doing all year: having fun playing their brand of soccer.

“I was super pleased,” Baker said. “My message [at the half] was that we just beat one of the best teams in the country. Then we came into this game, and it seemed like there was a lot of stress and pressure. We were negative to each other with little mistakes. I just told them to relax, have fun, get back to the way we play, and outwork these guys.”

Following what the coach said at the half, the Profs’ offense got back on track and showed their stripes at the top of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) competition.  

“I think about how there’s more to come,” Aportela said. “I trust the team. I trust the process. Baker always tells us to trust the coaching.  If you trust the coaching, you get results like we did.”

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