MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Rowan University edged Bridgewater State University, 1-0, in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Jackson Field on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

The Profs (16-3-4) advance to the tournament second round and will take on host Wesleyan tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock. Wesleyan advanced with an 8-1 win over Lehman earlier today.

The Bears end the season with an overall record of 13-6-1.

Senior Johnny Troiano (Hazlet, N.J.) broke a scoreless tie in the 68th minute to lift the Profs to the tournament victory. Troiano took a long pass from junior Luke McNamee (Pearl River, N.Y.) outside the box on the left side and then connected from a tough angle, putting the ball into the far side of the net for his team-leading 18th goal of the season.
 
Neither team could find the back of the net in the first half, although Rowan (16-3-4) held a 9-3 edge in shots. The teams each had eight shots in the second half, but both goalkeepers made four stops apiece.

Senior Melvin Alves (Brockton, Mass.) had a terrific scoring opportunity just 40 seconds into the second half. Alves collected a pass from freshman Cameron Walty (Weymouth, Mass.) on the right of box, cut back to the middle and fired a shot towards the center of the net that seemed to elude the diving goalkeeper but was stopped by a defender near the goal line.

With just under ten minutes remaining in the second half, junior Hector Bucio (Easton, Mass.) appeared to get tripped up on a potential breakaway but no call made.

Rowan senior netminder Travis Holiday (Davidsonville, Md.) turned aside five shots to record his fourth consecutive shutout and sixth of the season. Three of Holiday's five stops came in the final 13 minutes of the contest.

BSU junior goalkeeper Kyle Sullivan (Enfield, Conn.) made a season-high nine saves in the setback for the Bears.

The Profs held a 17-11 shot advantage for the game with a 10-5 edge in shots on goals. Corner kicks were 6-4 in favor of Rowan. Bridgewater was flagged for four offsides.

Senior Filippo Mucci (Vineyard Haven, Mass.) recorded a team-best four shots, including two on frame, for the Bears.

The Bears were making their eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and second in the last three years.

Five of the Bears' six losses this season were to teams (Middlebury, Brandeis, Wheaton, UMass Boston, Rowan) who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Photos Courtesy of Chloe Anderson