AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team put up a valiant effort, but fell to a late penalty kick in a 1-0 loss to Florida Memorial University on Tuesday afternoon at AMU Soccer Field. The Lions outshot the Lady Gyrenes 17-4, including an 8-2 lead in shots on goal, but Ave was able to keep the score level until the 79th minute of the match.

Freshman goalkeeper Erica Larson saved seven shots for the Lady Gyrenes, her second match in a row with at least seven stops. Larson was critical in keeping the match level for the majority of the afternoon, stymying a number of solid scoring chances for the Lions. 

Ave Maria had several opportunities to take the lead, challenging FMU goalie Adriana Rosero in the 11th minute and again in the 64th minute. Alexia Mazzoccone provided both of the Ave Maria shots on goal in the match. The Gyrenes also had three corner kicks, but could turn them into a critical goal.

The game's decisive strike came in the 79th minute. A Lion forward was fouled in the box, and Nina Torres was able to put the match's only penalty kick in the back of the net for the game-winner with just under 12 minutes to play.

Tuesday's game was played relatively cleanly, with only four fouls whistled on each team and no cards doled out. It was the third time in the last five meetings between the Lady Gyrenes and the Lions where the match was decided by just one goal.

The Gyrenes are scheduled to play their first road game of the season on Friday evening, travelling to Cleveland, Georgia for a meeting with Truett-McConnell University. Each of Ave Maria's next three matches will be away from AMU Soccer Field, with the next home game coming on September 27.