Men's Soccer Fills Out 2025 Fall Roster
Aug 13 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers men's soccer team and head coach Jim McElderry filled out the 2025 roster ahead of the start to the fall season.
The Scarlet Knights added three more transfers in Logan Brown (Clemson), Dan Karsten (Lipscomb) and Amer Lukovic (Montclair State). The team also brought in six more freshmen, Jeffrey Bryjack, Simon Gorczowski, Jaden Gordon, Joshua Jerome, Braxton Montgomery and Ailan Panton.
Transfers
From Lyman, South Carolina, Logan Brown also joins the Scarlet Knights as a sophomore transfer. He played his first college campaign at Clemson where he was a member of the 2023 National Championship Team and 2023 ACC Tournament Championship Team.
"Logan comes to us from Clemson University," McElderry said. "He has been a bit unlucky with injury this past year, but has the talent to be a starter at the Division I level. Logan is good with both feet playing out, has leadership qualities and is a competitor. He will be a great addition to our group of goalkeepers."
Brown appeared in three games, playing a total of 68 minutes. He recorded one save on three occasions against Presbyterian (Sept. 5), Gardner-Webb (Sept. 19) and Boston College (Oct. 20).
RU Bound ‼️
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) June 9, 2025
📍 Lyman, SC
⚽️ Clemson#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/1MRuecWmfu
Dan Karsten comes "On The Banks" after spending his freshman year at Lipscomb. He was selected to the ASUN All-Freshman Team after scoring six goals and adding an assist for 13 points.
"Dan is a creative attacking player with a year of college experience," McElderry added. "He was named freshman of the year in his previous conference and is another player who I feel can make a big impact on the attacking side. He is technically gifted and driven to create chances. He will be a tough player for our opponents to deal with."
Karsten totaled 26 shots with 14 landing on frame. He played and started in all 16 matches, totaling 1079 minutes on the pitch. He originally hails from Erfurt, Germany.
Official ✍️🇩🇪
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) June 3, 2025
📍 Erfurt, Germany
⚽️ Marshall#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/8L5v5ej7Sb
Amer Lukovic spent the past four seasons at Montclair State, garnering lots of praise. He led the team to an NJAC Tournament Championship in 2023 and two DIII NCAA Tournament berths.
"Amer had a stellar career at Montclair State, being named the Division III National Player of the Year," Mclderry said. "He is someone who can compete at a high level technically and athletically. He is very good in front of goal. He has the ability to get on the end of crosses but to also create his own space to get shots off."
Although he did not appear in the 2024 season due to injury, as a junior in 2023, he was named the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year in addition to a First Team All-American, First Team All-Region IV, NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-NJAC.
The Clifton, New Jersey native put together the best offensive season in Montclair State history, leading the NCAA in points (75), goals (34), and game-winning goals (11). Lukovic was the first in program history to score over 30 goals in a season and logged a career-high 1,728 minutes.
Staying Home 👏
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) June 4, 2025
📍 Clifton, New Jersey
⚽️ Montclair State #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/cJAyHCEo9G
Freshmen
Jeffrey Bryjack is a native of Elmwood Park, New Jersey and played for the NY Red Bulls. During the 2024 MLS Next slate he tallied two appearances, logging 21 minutes.
He made MLS NEXT Pro debut against Philadelphia Union II on April 21.
"Jeff is a big left sided center back with a ton of experience with his time at the Red Bull Academy," added McElderry. "He has also trained a lot and played with RedBulls II. I expect Jeff to compete for time immediately at the back."
New Scarlet Knight loading 📈
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) June 30, 2025
📍 Elmwood Park, NJ
⚽️ NY Red Bulls #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/AkqpG4sfHl
From Saddle River, New Jersey, Simon Gorczowski played for club teams NY Red Bulls and Cedar Stars. He recorded 13 goals and 5 assists during his junior club season as a defender.
"Simon is an athletic, fast and competitive outside back," said McElderry. "He was one of the leaders on his Cedar Stars Academy that went to two consecutive national finals in the MLS next competition. He is incredibly driven to win and to put in all the work needed to be an excellent player for Rutgers."
Jersey Made 🤝
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) December 9, 2024
📍 Saddle Brook, NJ
⚽️ Cedar Stars Bergen #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/831UZN9qO6
Jaeden Gordon joins RU from West Bay in the Cayman Island. He spent his high school playing career at the Darlington School where he was named both the MVP and Cornerstone Player his sophomore and senior seasons.
"Jaeden is an athletic center back who can play out of the back and also cover space in behind," McElderry stated. "He is from the Cayman Islands but has spent the past few years at the Darlington Prep School. He has a calm presence at the back and will fit into our style of play"
Signed, Sealed, Delivered 📬
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) December 5, 2024
📍 Cayman Islands
⚽️ The Darlington School#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/nwKVsxdCnl
Another in-state player from Freehold, New Jersey, is Joshua Jerome. He attended Freehold High School, where he scored the most goals as a freshman on varsity in program history, four goals in addition to two assists. He helped the team to the 2021 State Sectional Champion. He also won nationals with his club team, PDA.
"JJ comes to us from the Players Development Academy in New Jersey," said McElderry. "He is a versatile player with high end athletic ability. JJ can beat players off the dribble, score goals and pressure in midfield on the defensive side. I know he will be an excellent college player."
Both of Jerome's siblings attended Rutgers.
Homegrown Talent 👏
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) December 12, 2024
📍 Freehold, NJ
⚽️ PDA #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/qztmwrEV2b
Braxton Montgomery completed his time with Phoenix Rising FC, making 22 appearances and 19 starts, to join Rutgers ahead of the 2025 fall.
"Braxton is a late addition to our recruiting class," McElderry stated. "The past year he has had an incredible run with his club, Phoenix Rising. He developed from a youth player there to a starter in their USL Championship team. Braxton is a great athlete with the composure to play under pressure both on the defensive side and when building out of the back."
A Scottsdale native, Montgomery joined the Phoenix Rising Youth Academy when he was 12 years old and signed a USL Academy contract ahead of the 2025 season, allowing him to retain his NCAA eligibility while competing for the club's First Team. He made his professional debut against FC Tulsa on March 8.
Since that first appearance, Montgomery has gone on to play 1,628 minutes, becoming one of six Rising players to eclipse 1,000 regular-season minutes through the first half of the season.
From Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Ailan Panton attended the Darlington School the past four years. He was a two-time Golden Glove winner in 2023 and 2025.
"Ailan is another high-end athlete in the freshman class," said McElderry. "He moves really well, is powerful and can make special plays. Not only is he a very good shot stopper, but I see him developing into an all around goalkeeper who can also play out of the back."
Panton also represented Trinidad and Tobago on thee global stage for the U17 and U20 national teams.
Done deal 🤝
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) January 3, 2025
📍 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
⚽️ Darlington School #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/4H137K18oo
The Scarlet Knights will open the 2025 campaign on Aug. 21 against Providence at 6:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
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