FENTON, Mo. – After scoring five goals in its past two games, Saint Louis FC’s attack couldn’t find the right formula in its home opener on Saturday night as a sellout crowd of 5,531 fans at World Wide Technology Soccer Park saw the hosts play to a 0-0 draw with Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

“We were good on the ball up to a certain point, but you have to figure out how to break them down,” said Saint Louis Coach Dale Schilly following the game. “It’s early season. The guys aren’t technically there yet.”

An early indicator of the night that lay ahead came just seconds into the game, as a long ball forward by Brandon Barklage found Irvin Herrera in behind the Roughnecks’ defense. The Salvadoran controlled nicely, but an uncharacteristically heavy second touch took the chance away as Tulsa goalkeeper Alex Mangels came off his line quickly to snuff out the chance.

The further the game went, the better the chances became for Saint Louis. Mike Ambersley twice sent finishes high inside the final 20 minutes as STLFC looked to break the deadlock, as Tulsa appeared happy to sit back and counter-attack.

“They kind of parked the bus on us in the second half, so it’s hard to press when that happens,” said Ambersley.

Those counter-attacking forays into the Saint Louis half almost proved profitable for the Roughnecks, with Taylor Morgan getting a golden opportunity to score just before the break. Saint Louis goalkeeper Mark Pais came off his line quickly to deny the English forward a clear-cut opportunity at the edge of the penalty area.

“At the end of the day, we need that shutout,” Pais said. “To be able to power through 90 and get a shutout, it’s definitely a positive to take away.”

With a trip to face Sacramento up next for the side, there remains optimism the team’s attacking chemistry will emerge.

“Overall the guys are putting in the effort and it’s showing,” said Ambersley. “We have a good group.  The future is bright.”