Christian McGillen advances the ball. McGillen's goal in the 49th minute was his first in a Profs uniform. Glassboro, N.J. Sunday, August 31, 2025. - Photo via Rowan Athletics
After picking up their first win of the year on the road facing NYU, Rowan men’s soccer looked to capture their first in Glassboro during their home opener on Sunday, Aug. 31, facing Franklin and Marshall. And the Profs did just that, securing a 2-1 win over the Diplomats to start off their season with a 2-0 record.
Rowan started off the first half of their home opener strong. They put up twice as many shots on goal as Franklin and Marshall did, 6-3, while also dominating the field of play. The Diplomats were able to limit the onslaught of shots on goal with huge saves from their goaltender, Nolan Booth, keeping it a 0-0 game through the first half.
Right out of the gate in the second half, Rowan picked up where they left off. But this time, with the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
In the 49th minute, Christian McGillen, off a feed from his senior teammate, Davide Caputo, was able to roll one past the keeper for his first goal in a Profs uniform. The junior midfielder transferred to Rowan this year from La Salle, where he played in nine matches as a sophomore.
“When [Caputo] played the ball across, I didn’t see anyone to my left, took my time, and just slotted it home. So, it felt great to score,” McGillen said.
Caputo netted his third assist in only his second game this season. The junior is off to a hot start after being named to the All-Conference team last year for the second year in a row.
“I didn’t get many points earlier in my career, so I’m really trying to do that this season,” Caputo said. “And help carry my team, along with other players like Johnny [Troiano] and [Ryan] Cleary.”
At the 71st minute off an assist from Troiano, Caputo scored a goal of his own. It was his first of the season and totaled his fourth point in two games.
On the defensive side, Rowan stood on their heads. More specifically, their newly acquired goalkeeper, freshman C.J. Norton from Sussex Academy in Lewes, Del., was on point. He shut out the Diplomats in the first half with three saves and allowed one goal in the second. The goal was a result of a penalty kick awarded to Diplomat’s midfielder Jack Borden in the 71st minute of the second half, shortly after Caputo netted the Profs second goal of the afternoon.
Norton, and also newly acquired keeper, Travis Holiday, split the first game of the season at NYU, each playing one half. In Sunday’s game, Norton got to play all 90 minutes.
Head coach Scott Baker praised his two rookie goalies.
“We need both goalkeepers, who are both great. We’re going to rotate them as we would forward and our backs,” Baker said. “We want both of them to be healthy and to have experience, and then we get into the playoffs at the end of the season.
In what will be a long but exciting season, Baker says his team is just getting started.
“Our game plan is to trust our players, and we have talented players all over the field,” Baker said. “We have talented players that weren’t able to get onto the field, too. And as the season rolls on, we’ll rotate them, and people will see that.”
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