AVE MARIA, Fla. — For the second year in a row, the Ave Maria University Men's Soccer team will begin the season with a tie. Unlike last year though, this draw saw each team score a goal as the Gyrenes tied the Shawnee State Bears 1-1.

The start of the game, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m. was delayed over two hours due to lightning and heavy rain in the area.

The rest seemed to help the Gyrenes however as AMU started the match charging out of the gates, registering four shots in the opening ten minutes. Mateo Rolon took the first shot of the season but sent it wide right. About a minute later, Luis Mendoza and Luca Viana both directed shots on goal, but those were saved by the Shawnee State goalkeeper.

After three close attempts, the Gyrenes finally broke through and saw a ball go into the back of the net. After receiving a nice feed, Jael Parraga dribbled into the box from the left side and shot the ball past a diving goalie to open the scoring. It was the fifth goal of his Ave Maria career.

The Gyrenes kept applying pressure in the first half, controlling the ball and limiting Shawnee State's time in the offensive zone. The Bears took three shots in the opening frame, but none were directed on goal. At halftime, AMU took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second half saw more of a push from Shawnee State as the Gyrenes fell back and focused on their defense. The AMU back line forced bad shots from the Bears for most of the period. When Shawnee State did get their chance at a good shot, keeper Andrija Vujakovic was there to make the save.

The Bears did get the equalizer however in the 78^th minute after swiping the ball and storming the box with three attackers.

Both teams frantically went back in forth in the final 10 minutes looking to score the deciding goal, but neither found the back of the net for the rest of the game.

With the tie, Ave Maria starts the season off at 0-0-1. The Gyrenes began 2024 with a tie as well, drawing with the Brewton-Parker Barons 0-0.

Thursday's match was also the first game under new head coach Dariel Collazo. With the draw, Collazo becomes the first coach since Joe Zakowicz in 2011 to start his Ave Maria tenure not with a loss.

The Gyrenes are back in action on Tuesday, August 26, as the Florida College Falcons come to town. It is the first game of a soccer doubleheader, with the women's teams playing each other as well after the men. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.