University Park, Ill. – The Aquinas men's soccer team opened its season on the road against Governors State, where the Saints battled for 90 minutes but came up short in a 2-0 setback.

Governors State struck quickly, netting their first goal less than five minutes into the match and adding another in the 71st minute. Between the posts, Dario Cela faced five shots on goal and came away with three saves.

Aquinas generated momentum in the second half, firing seven shots compared to just two in the opening frame. Both squads finished with nine total shots, while the Saints held the edge in corner kicks, 6-3.

"With 10 new starters stepping in after graduating 10 seniors, the team faced a big transition heading into the match. Although the game began slowly, the players settled in and grew stronger as it went on, showing resilience and progress with each minute. Against a team ranked 24th nationally, they delivered a very good performance that demonstrated both potential and determination. Overall, this was a promising start to what is clearly a rebuilding year, laying the foundation for continued growth and success," said Head Coach Luke Ruff.

Up Next
The Saints return to action on Sunday (Aug. 24) when they take on Carroll College at 3:30 p.m.