The New York University men's soccer team opened its 2025 season with a 4-3 home loss to Rowan University on Friday, August 29, in Newark, NJ.

The Profs used quick scoring in each half to post the victory, while the Violets' comeback fell just short.

Rowan's Ryan Cleary scored the game's first goal in the second minute, while Johnny Troiano added another less than five minutes later.

The Violets retaliated by scoring their own pair of goals to tie the match.

Terra Nagai cut NYU's deficit in half with a goal off an assist from Audric Ma at the 14:53 mark.

The Violets then pulled even when Ethan Zarka converted on a free kick at 37:57.  

However, the Profs again got off to a fast start in the second half as Troiano tallied a pair of goals off assists from Davide Caputo within the first three minutes 

A goal by Demir Calkap, assisted by Zarka with three seconds remaining, accounted for the match's final score.  

Despite the loss, NYU out-shot Rowan 19-15.

The Violets return to the pitch this Sunday at 2pm when they travel to Poughkeepsie, NY, for a match at Vassar College.