The Ave Maria University men's soccer team opened up their 2020 season on a high note on Saturday evening, needing just one goal to knock off the Lions of Florida Memorial University, 1-0, at Gyrene Field. The win marked AMU's first season-opening win against an NAIA opponent since 2011, and first shutout since a 3-0 win over Missouri Baptist on September 1, 2018.

Saturday's first half passed without incident, as the contest reached halftime with no score. The Gyrenes had plenty of chances in the opening 45 minutes, taking seven corner kicks and putting three shots on goal. Florida Memorial also had a scoring opportunity late in the half, but a shot from Delroy Anderson in the 31st minute was turned away by goalkeeper Carlos Contreras.

In total, the Gyrenes outshot the Lions 5-1 in the first half, with three of those five shots testing the goalkeeper. Ave Maria also held a 7-1 lead in the corner kick department, and kept the ball in the offensive third for much of the opening 45 minutes.

After another 20 minutes of scoreless play, the Gyrenes came up with what proved to be the game-winning goal. A corner kick from Tomas Licheri found the foot of Cade Williams, who buried home his first collegiate goal in his first collegiate game. Williams' goal in the 66th minute ended up as the only goal in the game, as the final 24 minutes passed with no goals.

Florida Memorial's best scoring opportunity came in the 88th minute, but a shot from Luis Dos Santos sailed high. The clean sheet was preserved by Contreras, who posted a shutout in his first game in net for the Gyrenes. 

Ulises Soto was the most active player in the offensive third for the Gyrenes, logging three shots with a shot on goal. John Gokey was the only player in the game with multiple shots on goal, twice testing the goalkeeper. Josh Gaeng also added two total shots, and one on goal, in his first game wearing the Blue and Green. 

AMU held Florida Memorial to just four total shots, with the 31st minute attempt from Anderson the only shot on goal. The other three shots were logged by Ivan Jelic, Daniel Monllor, and Luis Dos Santos. Keanan Ainge stopped four of Ave Maria's five shots on goal, but was tagged with the loss due to Williams' 66th minute game-winner.

Ave Maria will break for two weeks, and will return to the field for a rematch at Gyrene Field on September 19. The Gyrenes will host the Lions in Ave Maria at 11 a.m. with bigger stakes - the game will mark the conference opener for AMU.