Box Score St. Louis - The Maryville men's soccer team was denied on early scoring opportunities, and visiting McKendree scored on a deflection for the lone goal in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both teams. The loss was the first on the season for the Saints after a win and two ties.
 
Gus Reinitz had the first good scoring chance when he fired a low shot toward the McKendree goal, but Bearcats keeper Scott Armistead came up with the save. Bogi Atanasov and Ryan Butchart also made bids to put the Saints ahead but Armistead worked hard to keep the game scoreless. Atanasov had a late chance but the period was scoreless at halftime.
 
Early in the second half, McKendree drew a foul in Saints territory and had a restart. Connor Cassidy hit a long pass into the box, and Callum Kiddell deflected the ball into the Saints net in the 55th minute. Kiddell nearly doubled the lead for the visitors, but Maryville keeper Eddie Starr made the save. Reinitz nearly drew the Saints level but his bid for a goal was pushed aside. Kory Clawson was a late sub and provided a burst, and his attempt in the 82nd minute narrowly missed wide as McKendree (1-1-1, 1-0-0) held on for the win.
 
The Saints fall to 1-1-2 overall, 0-1-1 in the GLVC. Maryville is back in action Sunday as it hosts Bellarmine in a 2:30 p.m. tilt.