Kean University men’s soccer kicked off the 2026 season with an eight-goal performance before facing tougher competition in its final two matches of the week.
The Cougars defeated Saint Elizabeth 8-1 on Sept. 1, played Batten University to a 2-2 draw Friday in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and closed the week with a 5-0 loss to No. 24 Christopher Newport on Sunday.
Kean scores Eight in Season Opener
Kean opened the season with an 8-1 win over Saint Elizabeth, scoring twice in the first half before adding six goals after halftime.
Thomas Cortes opened the scoring less than two minutes into the match before Dariel Mejia doubled Kean’s lead late in the first half. Christian Rua scored twice in the second half, while Allan Palma Romero, Mejia, Matthew Sarfo and Juan Arboleda also found the back of the net.
Mejia and Rua each finished with two goals, while Mejia added an assist. Palma Romero recorded a goal and an assist, while Yasser Aglaguel had two assists.
Kean finished with 23 shots, including 18 on goal. Juan Orozco made four saves in 70 minutes in goal.
Cougars settle for draw against Batten
Kean followed its season-opening win with a 2-2 draw against Batten on Friday.
The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute before Kean responded in the second half. Andy Mayorga tied the match in the 65th minute, and Mejia gave the Cougars the lead 10 minutes later.
Batten answered less than five minutes later to level the match, and neither team found a winning goal in the final 20 minutes.
Mejia led Kean with three shots, while Mayorga and Alexander Dos Santos each had two. Orozco and Guillermo Miranda combined for five saves.
The draw moved Kean to (1-0-1) heading into its final match of the weekend.
Christopher Newport hands Kean first loss
Kean faced its toughest test of the week Sunday against No. 24 ranked Christopher Newport, who scored five times in the first half on its way to a 5-0 victory.
The Captains opened the scoring less than six minutes into the match and added four more goals before halftime. Christopher Newport held a 17-1 advantage in shots during the first half and finished with a 21-5 edge for the match.
Kean managed just one shot on goal, while Christopher Newport put 10 attempts on goal.
The Captains carried a 5-0 lead into halftime before Kean held them scoreless over the final 45 minutes. Miranda made five saves for the Cougars.
The loss ended Kean’s opening week at (1-1-1) after the Cougars scored 10 goals in their first two matches.
Looking ahead
Kean will return home Wednesday for its home opener against the University of Scranton at Kean Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
