St. Ambrose men's soccer hosted Division III, Knox College, for the 2024 home opener campaign this afternoon. The weather was almost as beautiful as the soccer quality of the SAU men's soccer team. Unfortunately, the Bees could not get one to go for them as they washed with the Prairie Fire 0-0 at St. Vincent's Athletic Complex. 

The Bees dominated every stat category, outshooting the Praire Fire 18-7. SAU held an 11-2 edge on corner kicks with all giving St. Ambrose a shot at the net. 

St. Ambrose and Knox each exchanged shots for corner kicks early in the match. None too threatening for the Bees as the Prairie Fire's shots were blocked by Bee defenders. The Bees forced a keeper save after two on-goal shots. Knox nor the Bees would create any threatening opportunities as they headed into halftime at a stalemate 0-0.

Things would heat up in the second half as St. Ambrose came out firing with a corner kick right out of the gate. Shortly after, Brady Butler had a ball teed up but would smack off the cross bar and deflect out of bounds. The rest of the way, it was all the Bees offense.

SAU's defense stuck in and only allowed one opportunity for the Prairie Fire which would come from a free kick just outside the box. This direct shot would force Kai Domagala into a flying save. Domagala would not be used the rest of the half as the Bees defense remained strong. 

In the 77th minute, it was Butler again off a corner kick this time. The ball was floated into the box where it found the head of Butler and he directed it towards the net. The high flying ball found the crossbar for the second time this half and game. No goal would come from this golden opportunity. The Bees would continue to create chaos in the box but could never seal the game. The final remained 0-0 with goals left on the field.

Brady Butler led the way with four shots, two of the best opportunities of the game. Lucas Pizani created three shots, two being on goal. Joe Campbell and Sam Flello tallied two shots.

Domagala gathered two saves in net.

The Bees will fall to 0-0-1 as they completed their first full slate of the 2024 season. Thurs., Sep. 5, St. Ambrose will travel to Macomb, Ill. for a match up with Western Illinois. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.