Rowan men’s soccer surges in the second half, securing their second New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championship in three years with a 3-1 victory over Stockton University on Friday, Nov. 8.

In their fifth-straight NJAC title game, the Profs trailed 1-0 into the 71^st minute. Emiliano Pavia tied the contest on a Jake Homowitz assist, less than four minutes before Ryan Cleary scored the go-ahead goal on a header off another Homowitz assist. 

“It means the world,” Cleary said. “Especially going one to nil down. Once we got that first goal and we had the whole momentum in the second half I just knew it was bound to come and I was just happy it was me.”

Johnny Troiano added the third goal on an assist from Davide Caputo and put the game out of reach at 84:16.  

“I’m just glad that we’re not done yet and we have a lot more soccer to play,” Troiano said. “I can feel it.”  

The fight that the Profs showed tonight will surely build momentum. It seemed as if their backs were against the wall in the first half, as they couldn’t convert on some of their better looks in the first half.

“This is the first time we really faced adversity in the last couple games,” Cleary said. “So, it was really nice to see the boys stay positive and bring it to rally. I think we just continue that effort and positivity into the NCAA.”

One of these better looks was when Davide Caputo fired the ball into the net, but Stockton goalie made an incredible diving save to preserve their 1-0 lead. To come through in the end and put the game out of reach showed the resilience that this team instills in each other. 

“This team is just so close,” Troiano said. “We’ve wanted this all season long. We’ve been training our you know what off and we had no doubt. We knew we were going to come back and we wanted to do it on this side of the field so it feels great.”

Rowan scored all three of its goals directly in front of the student section. On a day where the complex was completely packed full, the emotion behind each goal showed the love this team has for each other and their fans.

“Words can’t describe how proud I am of this team and this group of guys,” Cleary said. “Especially with this being my last year. I woke up this morning and I thought this could be my last game. Then, after a couple minutes and hours of thinking I was thinking there was no way it was going to be my last. I’m just happy to play more soccer with the boys.”

This upcoming Monday, the Profs will find out their seeding and matchup in the NCAA tournament. After a win like this, the squad will be itching for their next game, with a chance to keep this magical feeling alive.  

“First of all, I’m so proud,” Troiano said. “Second of all, [we want] what we’ve wanted all year, which is that national championship. We’re going to go fight for it, and I truly believe we can win it.”

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