A challenge awaited St. Ambrose in their season opener, and the Bees were up for the task. 

Facing the No. 2 team in the nation, Indiana Tech, SAU used a four-goal run before halftime to come away with a 12-7 victory Thursday afternoon in Westfield, Ind. at Grant Park. 

The Bees, ranked seventh, came out strong with Michael Shakerin scoring just over a minute into the game to give SAU a quick 1-0 lead. The Warriors would respond four minutes later with a goal from Samuel Bodley, and the score would remain 1-1 heading into the second quarter. Indiana Tech notched a man-up goal to go ahead, but St. Ambrose got goals from Cole Danner and Sam Kerr for the 3-2 lead with 9:46 left until halftime. After a Warrior score, a shot from Danner went high, and the Indiana Tech goalie collected the ball and ran out of his end. He turned the ball over, and Joseph Henderson scooped it up and launched a shot from the defensive end, and found the back of the net to put the Bees back up by one. Indiana Tech got a quick goal just seconds after Henderson's, but the Bees got goals from Danner, Shakerin twice, and Christian Dimaano to close out the half for an 8-4 lead. 

Both teams scored just once in the third period, and after Indiana Tech scored with 3:55 left in the game to make it a three-score game, St. Ambrose got goals from Tyler Yetka and Danner for the 12-7 win. 

Danner finished with four goals and one assist, while Shakerin had three goals and three assists. Nolan Hayes put up an impressive 19 saves, and Hunter Northway won 13 of 18 faceoffs. 

St. Ambrose will face Taylor University on February 18th in Westfield, Ind. at Grant Park.