Game Highlights

AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's soccer team rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first half to force a season-opening draw, 2-2, with the Warner University Royals at AMU Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon. It was the first draw for the Gyrenes in nearly six years, with the last even score coming October 3, 2011 against SCAD-Savannah.

Ave Maria found themselves down two goals in the opening 22 minutes of the contest. In the seventh minute, Daniel Rodriguez converted on a penalty kick to give Warner the nearly advantage. 15 minutes later, Ralph Francois put a header in the back of the net on an assist from Austin Steen.

The Gyrenes got back within one late in the first half. A mishandled goal kick from the Royals allowed Raphael Rodriguez to capitalize for his first collegiate goal. The Naples native's goal in the 44th minute pulled the Gyrenes within 2-1 heading into halftime.

Warner's 2-1 mark held for the first 33 minutes of the second half before Ave Maria was able to even the score. In the 79th minute, freshman Kensley Jean Baptiste found himself in a 1-on-1 with the Warner keeper. Jean Baptiste juked the goalie and tied the game from point-blank range.

The two teams played 20 minutes of extra time, but neither squad was able to poke through a game-winner. Ave Maria goalie Andrea Salomone made five of his ten saves in the final 30 minutes of the match, and did not allow a goal in the final 88 minutes of Saturday's affair.

The Gyrenes, who begin the season with five consecutive home games, return to AMU Soccer Field on Thursday, welcoming the Bobcats of St. Thomas University to town. The match, which will not count in The Sun Conference standings, is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m.