NEWARK, NJ - Johnny Troiano scored a hat trick to propel Rowan (1-0) to a 4-3 victory over NYU in the men's soccer season opener for both teams played at NJIT's Lubetkin Field.
 
Troiano, an 2024 All-American, picked up where he left off last year when he topped the Profs in scoring. Today's effort marked the third three-goal game of his career.
 
With the teams tied at 2-2 at halftime, Troiano scored his second and third of the game to lift the Profs to victory. The senior netted one at 47:28 with a low shot to the left off a pass from Davide Caputo. The seniors teamed up again for another goal just one minute later, giving Rowan a 4-2 lead.
 
Travis Holiday played the first half in goal for the Profs and made four saves. C.J. Norton made one save in the second half and preserved the victory as the Violets scored their third goal with just four seconds remaining.
 
Ryan Cleary scored the Profs' first goal of the season just 1:54 into the match when he took a pass from Luke McNamee. Rowan built its lead up to 2-0 less than five minutes later as Troiano tallied his first of the game and of the season, with an unassisted goal at 6:54.
 
NYU (0-1) tied it before the end of the half, scoring the initial goal by Terra Nagai at 14:53 and following with one at 37:57 by Ethan Zarka.
 
The Profs, who received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Association Preseason Poll, will open the home portion of the season on Sunday, when they host #22 Franklin & Marshall at 1 p.m. Tickets are available online now via the Rowan Box Office on HomeTown Ticketing.
 
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