AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team fell victim to three first half goals on Wednesday afternoon, and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University at AMU Soccer Field. 

Johnson and Wales took the lead in the 12th minute of the match, when forward Savannah Jackson found the back of the net to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Jackson would add another goal, her tenth of the season, off an assist from Caterina Yibirin. A goal from Soleil Duplain capped off the three-goal half from the Wildcats, and supplied a 3-0 lead entering halftime.

Ave Maria avoided a shutout with the lone goal of the second half. In the 80th minute, Alexia Mazzoccone got the Gyrenes on the board, burying a pass from Lauren Campoe for her third goal of the season. With three goals and two assists, Mazzoccone has been involved in every Gyrene goal this season.

The Wildcats could not extend the lead any further, as the visitors were turned away at the net ten times by AMU freshman goalkeeper Erica Larson. Larson saved at least ten shots for the second game in a row, and currently leads The Sun Conference in saves per game.

Of the eight shots taken by Ave Maria, two each were launched by Mazzoccone and Laura Mastandrea. Jackson led all players with six shots and four attempts on goal. Johnson and Wales outshot the Gyrenes 22-8, and put ten shots on goal to Ave Maria's four.

The Gyrenes remain in conference play this Saturday, when AMU takes to the road for a match against Thomas University. It is the first of two consecutive road conference matches for the Gyrenes, who will be on the road until October 7.

The Sun Conference matchup is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff in Thomasville.