MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team found themselves in an early hole, and could not recover in a 7-1 loss to St. Thomas University at the STU Soccer Field in Miami Gardens on Monday. Monday's game was originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Ave Maria, but was rained out.
St. Thomas quickly took the lead after the start of the game was delayed over an hour due to lightning in the area. Federico Moronell got the Bobcats on the board with a header in the fourth minute, a goal that was set up by a cross from Santiago Dirrocco. Konstantinos Mylonas then added a goal in the 18th minute on an assist from Thomas Greco.
The host Bobcats scored two more goals in the first half, and added three more in the final 45 minutes. Moronell led the Bobcat attack, recording a hat trick with two second half goals to go with his strike in the fourth minute.
Ave Maria broke up the STU shutout in the 80th minute. Senior Bernard Carollo scored the fifth goal of his career, finding the back of the net on an assist by freshman midfielder Matias Carbone. Carollo's goal was the second Ave Maria shot on goal of the evening, with Alejandro Echeverria providing the other in the seventh minute of the contest.
Andrea Salomone recorded four saves in goal for the Gyrenes, a game-high for either team.
The Gyrenes return to Ave Maria for their third match of the season on Saturday afternoon, when the Lions of Florida Memorial University come to the AMU Soccer Field. Kickoff in Ave Maria for the non-conference contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Ave Maria and St. Thomas are scheduled to meet once more this season, a match scheduled for September 20 in Miami Gardens.
