COCHRAN, Ga. — The Ave Maria Men's Soccer team played the Middle Georgia Knights to a 0-0 draw Thursday evening in the 2024 season opener. The Gyrenes fended off 10 shots to preserve the scoreless tie.

Offensively, Ave Maria recorded seven shots with three on goal. Jerron Dopwell got the first shot on goal of the season. In the 29^th minute, he directed a shot towards the net on free kick that was saved by the Knights' goalkeeper.

In the second half, Dopwell got a second shot on goal and Edwin Parraga got the third and final one of the match for the Gyrenes.

Ave Maria had one more good look in the second half with freshman Mateo Rolon hitting the post in the 74^th minute. Rolon took the open shot from just outside the penalty arc but clanked it off the crossbar.

Defensively, the Gyrenes fended off 10 shots, with four of them being on goal from the Middle Georgia Knights. Keeper Andrija Vujakovic saved three shots in his first start for Ave Maria.

The most dramatic save for the Gyrenes came right before halftime. With under five minutes to play in the opening frame, a Knight forward got a breakaway and tapped the ball just passed Vujakovic, who had charged forward to challenge the play.

The ball slowly bounced towards a wide open net when a streaking Gyrene defender rushed in to belt it away towards the sidelines.

With the draw, Ave Maria opens the 2024 season 0-0-1. The Gyrenes had just one tie last season in the first year under head coach Cesar Markovic, and they have already matched that total this year.

The opening road trip in the Peach State continues Saturday for the Gyrenes. Ave Maria will travel about 50 miles southeast to take on the Brewton-Parker College Barons. It will be the first time since 2019 the Gyrenes have played the Barons. That match is one of the more entertaining games in Gyrene soccer history, ending in a 4-4 tie after two overtime periods.

Kickoff on Saturday is set for 7 p.m.