NEW YORK —The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. – Brooklyn men's soccer team opened the 2025 season on Friday afternoon against the University of Hartford on Randall's Island. Despite the Bears drawing first blood, the Hawks earned a 4-1 victory.

Six minutes into the match, rookies Francesco Di Paola (Jackson Heights, N.Y.) and Alexander Kudrick (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) linked up, with Di Paola threading a pass to Kudrick for the game's opening goal; logging their first collegiate goal and assist, respectively. Both sides traded opportunities before the break, with the Bears pressing to extend their lead and the Hawks pushing for an equalizer, but the navy and gray carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.

The visitors leveled the contest five minutes into the second half on a set piece. Following an SJBK red card, Hartford took the lead following another free kick. With the man advantage, the Hawks added two more goals to seal the result.

Edwin Sacramento (Brooklyn, N.Y.) registered four saves in his first start between the sticks.

The Bears welcome Bard College to Aviator Field on Thursday, September 4 at 7 pm.