AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team dropped a tough conference match to Warner University on Saturday afternoon, falling 2-1 in overtime. The Gyrenes scored in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime, but could not withstand a barrage from the Royals.

After just over 35 minutes of scoreless action, Warner struck first with the only goal of the first half. Daniel Rodriguez gave the Royals a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute when he chipped a ball over the head of the AMU goalkeeper for his eighth goal of the season. Despite both teams having solid scoring opportunities in the first half, Warner took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Warner's 1-0 lead held for the majority of the second half, until the Gyrenes forced overtime with less than three minutes to play. Cedric Georges buried a shot into the back of the net in the 88th minute, converting as the ball bounced around the box. The first goal of Georges' AMU career allowed the Gyrenes to extend the match into a sudden death overtime period.

In overtime, Warner took a man advantage less than 20 seconds into the period after an AMU red card. On the Royals' fifth shot on goal of the period, Matheus Santiago ended the match with a goal in the 94th minute. Santiago's goal was his eighth of the season, and delivered the Royals their fourth conference win of the campaign.

Kensley Jean Baptiste was Ave Maria's most active attacker, logging four shots on the day, three of which were on goal. Andrea Salomone stopped eight of the nine shots on goal he faced in net, and reserve goalkeeper John Turner made four saves in overtime in his first action of the season.

The Gyrenes will play their final home match of the season on October 13, when the Florida Memorial University Lions come to Ave Maria. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m., with Senior Night festivities scheduled for before the match.