ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. – The University of Wisconsin-Stout men's soccer team battled to a 0-0 non-conference draw in their 2025.season opener against Crown College on Thursday afternoon at Old National Bank Stadium. Sophomore goalkeeper
Max Kutz delivered a standout performance with eight saves to secure the shutout, as the Blue Devils (0-0-1) held firm despite playing with 10 men for over half the match.
Stout faced an uphill challenge after flossing a player due to a red card in the 35th minute, but the defense, led by
Breckin Fitz and
Kevin Lowery, limited Crown's opportunities despite the Polars (0-0-1) holding a 19-7 edge in shots and 61% possession. Crown generated eight shots on target, but Kutz was equal to the task, earning his first tie of the season (0-0-1). On the other end, Crown goalkeeper Leo Roque made three saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The first half was marked by physical play, with both teams combining 16 fouls and three yellow cards. Crown earned an early penalty kick in the 10th minute after a Stout foul, but Jared Hernandez's attempt was saved by Kutz. The Polars continued to press, with Jose Lovera forcing two more saves before the break. Stout's best chances came late in the period, as
Nikola Dabetic and
Marwan Kaddah both tested Roque with shots on target.
The red card shifted momentum, and Crown dominated the second half with 15 shots, several that required key stops from Kutz. Stout countered with five shots of their own, highlighted by
Logan Bergien's on-target strike, but couldn't find a breakthrough.
The Blue Devils return to action on Sept. 2 when they host Martin Luther for a 5 p.m. kickoff at Nelson Field.
