St. Ambrose, ranked fifth in the preseason poll, faced a tough start to the season, taking on the number one rated and defending champions, Reinhardt University, Friday afternoon in Williamsburg, Ky. The Bees kept it close after the first quarter, but the Eagles ran away in the final three frames to get a 20-9 win.

Cole Danner, Makaile Shaddix, and Michael Keating each scored two goals for SAU (0-1). Nolan Hayes made 19 saves.

Tyler Yetka found Shaddix for the opening score and an early 1-0 St. Ambrose lead. Reinhardt (2-0) would equalize, getting a goal from Kollin Etheridge with 10:34 remaining in the quarter. The Bees would respond 19 seconds later as Michael Shakerin found Lachlan Hodge for a 2-1 lead. RU would go on a 5-1 run, to take a 6-3 lead with 1:46 left in the first. Matt Cortopassi scored late in the frame to put the Bees within two.

Reinhardt would go on another run in the second, scoring four straight to take a 10-4 lead with 11:20 left until half. SAU would get one back from Shaddix for the 10-5 halftime score.

The Eagles would net five goals in each of the final two periods, while the Bees managed just two in each for the 20-9 final.

Isaiah Hahn was the other goal scorer for St. Ambrose. Jack Wiltrout won 15 faceoffs and picked up six ground balls. Hodge and Shakerin collected four. Ben Blankenship caused three turnovers. Reinhardt was led by Cameron Cochran with six goals.

Things don't get easier for St. Ambrose as they will face No.3 Cumberlands on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the UC Lacrosse Complex in Williamsburg, Ky.