The Kean University women’s soccer team opened the 2026 season with a loss before responding with back-to-back clean sheet victories to finish the week.
The Cougars fell 4-0 to the University of Scranton on Sept. 1 before defeating Bard College 7-0 on Friday and City College of New York 8-0 on Sunday at the Brick City Classic in Newark.
Kean finished its opening week with a (2-1) record, scoring 15 goals in its final two matches while conceding four goals across the three-game stretch.
Scranton hands Kean 4-0 Loss in Season Opener
Kean opened its season against Scranton on Tuesday, but the Cougars had to wait an additional 90 minutes to take the field after a rain and lightning delay pushed back the scheduled kickoff.
Once play began, Scranton took control and handed Kean a 4-0 loss in its season opener. The Royals scored twice in each half, putting the Cougars in an early hole and limiting their offensive opportunities.
Kean finished with three shots, including two from Carly Gleason. The Cougars were unable to generate enough chances to consistently test the Scranton defense.
Kean goalkeepers Kayla Santiago and Caitlin Murphy combined for seven saves as Scranton finished with 23 shots, including 11 on goal.
The Cougars had little time to dwell on the loss, with two more matches scheduled later in the week.
Pinho leads Kean past Bard
Kean responded Friday with a much stronger offensive performance, scoring seven goals while keeping Bard off the scoresheet.
Emily Pinho led the Cougars with two goals, scoring once in each half. Katelyn Greiner, Kiera Platt, Kaelyn Phillips, Carleigh Feeney and Ella Petrosh also found the back of the net.
Kean established control early, with Greiner and Platt each contributing a goal and an assist in the first half. The Cougars continued to pressure Bard after halftime rather than settling for their early advantage.
Pinho added her second goal off an assist from Gleason, while Petrosh capped the scoring with an unassisted goal.
Kean finished with 17 shots, including nine on goal, while Bard managed five shots and two on goal. The victory gave the Cougars their first win of the season and their first shutout.
Gleason records Hat Trick in 8-0 Win over CCNY
Kean carried its momentum into Sunday’s matchup against CCNY, closing the Brick City Classic with an 8-0 victory.
Pinho opened the scoring, assisted by Petrosh, before Gleason scored three straight goals to give Kean a 4-0 lead. Gleason scored twice from open play before completing her hat trick from the penalty spot.
Petrosh added another goal off an assist from Stephanie Monroe, sending Kean into halftime with a 5-0 advantage.
Cassidy Boasso extended the lead after halftime before Natalia Soler scored twice, including a penalty kick, to complete the 8-0 victory.
Kean finished with 27 shots, including 18 on goal, while limiting CCNY to five shots. The Cougars recorded their second consecutive shutout to close the weekend.
The victory capped a dominant two-game stretch for Kean, which scored 15 goals without conceding after falling to Scranton in its season opener.
Looking Ahead
Kean will look to carry its two-game winning streak into its next match Wednesday, when the Cougars travel to Madison to face FDU-Florham.
