WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 29, 2025) – The King's College men's soccer team started off the 2025 season strong on Friday afternoon against Utica University. The Monarchs (1-0-0) took an early lead in the fourth minute and never looked back as they picked up a 1-0 victory over the Pioneers (0-1-0). This is the second year in a row that Head Coach Brandon Raynor has led his team to a win in the season opener.

King's got to work quickly in the opening half on offense with four shots in the first five minutes. Following a corner, Mark Atherton attempted back-to-back shots with the Pioneer goalkeeper coming away with two great saves. On the second shot's deflection, Santiago Javadpour seized the opportunity, sending a shot into the top left corner of the net and giving the Monarchs an early 1-0 advantage at the 4:04 mark.

The Monarch defense was solid all night, taking possession away from the Pioneers on numerous occasions and keeping the ball out of harm's way. Utica only managed just six shots on the evening with two on goal compared to eleven shots with five on goal for King's.

There were five yellow cards handed out on the evening, four of them coming in the second half. Javadpour (10:16) and Cameron Jones (47:36) were the King's recipients while Chase Abbot (69:43), Martin Mendoza (70:35), and Justin Clarke (76:06) got yellows for Utica.

Philip Permyashkin and Atherton led the way in shots with three each, but it was the lone shot of the day from Javadpour that found the back of the net.

Sophomore goalkeeper Ben Van Valkenburg picked up his first shutout of the season and the third for his career. With the defense firing on all cylinders, Van Valkenburg had a calm night in net with a pair of saves.

King's men's soccer is back in action on Satuday, August 30^th as they head to Penn College for a 4:00 PM matchup with the Wildcats at UPMC Field in Williamsport, PA.

--MONARCHS--