MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team recorded the biggest comeback win in program history on Wednesday evening, rallying for a 3-2 victory over Florida Memorial University at Vizcaya Park. The Gyrenes scored the final three goals of the match, coming back from two goals down to win for the first time in the ten-year history of the program.
The Lions raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of the match. Just 65 seconds into the contest, Lovely Placide found the back of the net for her third goal of the season on an assist from Jazmine Rosas. Thalia Leal followed just over three minutes later with a goal of her own, giving the Lions a two-goal edge less than five minutes into the match.
After over 30 minutes of scoreless action, the Gyrenes began their comeback in the 38th minute. Team points leader Meghan Precord scored her second goal of the season on an assist from Lauren Campoe with 7:10 to play in the first half, trimming the FMU lead to 2-1, which would hold until halftime.
A Gyrene spurt of two goals in 79 seconds in the second half proved to be the difference in the match. The AMU equalizer was provided by Campoe, who scored her first goal of the season in the 55th minute, adding to her assist in the first half.
In the 57th minute, freshman Laura Spence provided the game-winner for Ave Maria, giving the Gyrenes a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. Florida Memorial would threaten the net just once in the final 33 minutes, but Amanda Stacy came up with a save on a shot from Lavra Reina in the 78th minute, preserving the AMU edge.
Ave Maria outshot the Lions 19-12 in the match, and put nine of those shots on goal. Precord led the Gyrene attack with five shots, including her goal. Bernadette Hartney was also active on the attack, recording four shots with one shot on goal.
The victory marks Ave Maria's first road conference win since October 29, 2016, when the Gyrenes claimed a 1-0 victory over Warner in Lake Wales. The Gyrenes also become the third team in program history to win multiple conference matches.
AMU remains on the road on Saturday, travelling north for a match with the Bees of SCAD-Savannah. The match, which will host Senior Day festivities for the Bees, is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.
