Lima, OH — The Aquinas men's soccer team wrapped up its opening weekend with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against nationally ranked Carroll, showing grit, depth, and promise across the roster. The result, coupled with Friday's battle against Governors State, leaves the Saints at 0-1-1 after facing two straight NAIA nationally ranked teams on the road. While the goals didn't come, the Saints' defense and effort shined, holding opponents scoreless for the final 3.5 periods of play.

Aquinas 0, Carroll 0

Senior goalkeeper Ivan Radovic was the anchor once again, recording four saves and commanding the box with poise as he earned the clean sheet. In front of him, defenders Carter Kerbawy, Edward Hudson III, and Timothy Phillips were tireless across 90 minutes, blocking lanes and clearing dangerous chances. Midfielders Joseph Farhat and Trae Collins helped set the tempo, with Collins playing every minute in a controlling role, while Carson Tucker and Christian Trunk came off the bench to bring fresh energy in the middle of the park.

Up top, the Saints pressed Carroll's backline throughout. Chase Jacobs Gries was relentless, firing a team-high four shots, including one on frame, while Aidan Bennett and Fikret Hasovic each added efforts that tested the Cougars' defense. Off the bench, Evan Goodfellow and Colin Bailey carved out looks of their own, while Carter Hagan and Emmanuel Bedolla worked to stretch the field and create space. Though the breakthrough goal never came, the collective effort showcased the team's depth and attacking intent.

Even in a physical contest that featured multiple yellow cards, Aquinas refused to back down. Chase Jacobs Gries, Bedolla, and Goodfellow were among those who battled in the midfield grind, while Radovic and the Saints' backline stood tall under late Carroll pressure. The result was a true team effort—proof that this young group has the toughness and togetherness to challenge top-tier competition as the season unfolds.

Inside the Numbers

• Aquinas held Carroll to four shots on goal, all stopped by goalkeeper Ivan Radovic.
• Chase Jacobs Gries led the Saints' offense with four shots, while Aidan Bennett, Fikret Hasovic, and Evan Goodfellow each added attempts.
• The Saints' backline—anchored by Kerbawy, Hudson, Phillips, and Collins—played the full 90 minutes without a substitution.
• Aquinas used 15 different players, showcasing depth and balance across the roster in the early season.

Coaches' Comments

Following the game, Head Coach Luke Ruff spoke with optimism about his team's performance:
"Another very tough test against a national tournament team, but the boys rose to the challenge. It was great to come away with a clean sheet, and I'm proud of how hard they worked and ran for each other from start to finish. This was another big step in the right direction for a very young group that continues to grow with each game."

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