AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The ninth-ranked Ave Maria women's lacrosse team fell to top-ranked Savannah College of Art and Design, 16-9, on Saturday morning. Ave Maria drops to 5-6 on the season with the loss.
 
The Lady Gyrenes were first to get on the board when Mackenzie Tourville scored an unassisted goal just over a minute into the game. SCAD responded with two straight goals to take a 2-1 a few minutes later.
 
Trailing by one, Alexis Smich and Georgia Miller each found the back of the net to put AMU in front 3-2. Smich then broke a two goal run by the Bees to even the game at four with 11:18 to play. SCAD ended the half on a four goal run to take an 8-4 lead into the half.
 
SCAD extended their lead to five early in the second half before back-to-back goals by Smich and Tourville made it a three goal deficit for AMU, 9-6.
 
A five-goal flurry by SCAD put AMU behind 14-6 before a Tourville goal broke the Bees' run. Smich and Tourville each netted goals in the final seven minutes to end the game at 16-9.
 
Tourville and Smich each finished with four goals for the Lady Gyrenes. Miller had the other goal for AMU and also had an assist. Abby Castro, Richelle Harris, and Smich each finished with five ground balls.
 
Hannah Camerota made nine saves in the loss.
 
Ave Maria was outshot by SCAD 34-16 and outdone 25-15 in shots on goal.
 
The Blue and Green finish the season on Wednesday when they travel to Tampa to take on the University of Tampa at 7:30 p.m.