Christian McGillen dribbles the ball. McGillen transferred to Rowan from La Salle. (Rowan Athletics)
Entering every season, team’s lose and gain players. A couple key players Rowan lost were captain Turlough Gartlan and starting keeper Dylan Aportela. However, someone they picked up in the transfer portal was junior midfielder Christian McGillen.
McGillen came over from Division I La Salle University in the Atlantic 10 conference. McGillen, who grew up in Pennsburg, PA., was only 42 miles from his original team, and is now 71 miles to his new home in Glassboro.
“I just really liked it when I went. The guys were great,” McGillen said, “The coach was nice when I first went there, so I couldn’t complain about it. I just liked it.”
McGillen spent two seasons at La Salle, where he started in only three games through 18 appearances. In two years, he has a combined record of 11-16-8. To start out his career with Rowan, he’s gone 5-1-1, almost half of the wins in the first month of the season.
McGillen is already feeling the love of the Rowan fans. In his first five games, he’s scored two goals and gotten four points.
“The biggest difference was just joining a new team completely,” McGillen said. “The playing, obviously, is a little bit different, but joining a whole new team, learning different tactics, and the way they play. So it was just a big change going from La Salle to here.”
The former MLS Next Cup Playoff qualifier suffered his first loss as a Prof as well as the team’s first this season this past Tuesday, Sept. 16, against Haverford College. The Profs are currently on a skid, drawing to Scranton on Sept. 13, and with the Haverford loss, have suffered their first back-to-back non-winning matches this season.
McGillen isn’t worried about the skid right now, the Profs are still No. 2 in the entire country in Division III men’s soccer.
“We’re just working hard, looking for our next match, taking one step at a time,” McGillen said.
With the season still so young, the Profs have a long way to go. Keeping their foot on the gas is crucial to one staying hot, but to also give 110% every match. McGillen describes his time with Rowan so far as “amazing” in 2025.
“I just feel like the team works. We play well together in the final third. We know how to move the ball a little better,” McGillen said. “So, like, it was a little bit different, obviously a little not as competitive, but, I mean, it’s still a very competitive area, so it’s just, we move the ball well, and we all work well together around here, so we just find the goals.”
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