BOYDS, Md. – The American University men's soccer team overcame an early injury to Preseason All-Patriot League selection senior Zemi Rodriguez in the season opener, getting substantial minutes from several freshmen to hold two-time defending WAC champions California Baptist to a 0-0 tie.
 
QUICK NOTABLES

• In the 10th minute of the game, Rodriguez left the field with an injury, as junior Tim Schliemann entered the game for the Eagles.
• Freshman Rex-Emmanuel Cobbina earned a starting nod in his collegiate debut, contributing 54 minutes for a back line that did not allow a goal.
• Freshman Chris Sullivan played 45 minutes as a substitute, recording two shots, while freshmen Oliver Snowdon and Patryk Rojek also saw playing time in their collegiate debuts. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Graduate student Cooper Nunn had the first chance for the Eagles, a headed shot on goal that was saved by CBU in the 5th minute.
• In a physical game that saw more fouls than shots, Rodriguez's exit in the early minutes forced American to adjust quickly.
• American controlled possession for most of the first half, despite limited chances for both teams.
• CBU adjusted at halftime, with some chances early in the second half. In the 66th minute, junior Matthew Tibbetts made a critical save that kept the match scoreless.
• American retook control in the back end of the second half, with several chances to break the scoreless tie over the final 15 minutes of the game.
• A promising shot from outside the box by junior Troy Elgersma was saved in the 80th minute, the best chance of the game for the Eagles since Nunn's shot early in the contest.
• Sullivan and graduate student Ethan Boyle had chances in the final minutes, but both were blocked by CBU defenders.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Tibbetts' clean sheet was the fourth of his career, saving two shots on goal from the Lancers.
• California Baptist recorded eight shots to American's seven, while the Lancers committed nine fouls and the Eagles committed 10.
• The physicality of the game was a theme, as the Lancers were issued two yellow cards, while the Eagles received one.
• Senior Nicholas Shirley played the entire game in a new-look back line for American.

UP NEXT

• The Eagles will be back in action at the Maryland SoccerPlex on Sunday, August 25, at 6:00 p.m. as they take on Hofstra in the second game of the season. 

FOLLOW US

• For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) (@AU_MSoccer), and Instagram (@au.msoccer).