AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team lost to an NCAA Division II opponent on Monday afternoon, dropping an 18-4 decision to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Alabama-Huntsville scored the first five goals of the game in the first 15 minutes of the contest. Nicole Federovitch and Megan Hartnett each scored two goals in this initial stretch, and Sophia Fiorina added a goal of her own. Ave Maria got on the board with 16:12 to play in the first half on a goal from Katelyn Sherman. UAH scored the final two goals of the first half to take a 9-1 lead into halftime.

The Chargers also scored the first five goals of the second half, taking a 14-1 edge. Sherman scored her second goal of the afternoon to break UAH's streak of nine goals in a row with 15:07 remaining in the contest. After three goals from the Chargers, back-to-back goals from Sherman and Aiyanah Simms closed Ave Maria's half of the scoring. Hartnett scored her third goal of the game with 40 seconds left to conclude the action.

Federovitch led the Chargers with four goals and four assists. Abbey O'Brien added four goals of her own, Hartnett posted three, and Fiorino and Alanna Carvalho both scored twice. For the Gyrenes, Alexis Smich recorded AMU's only assists, and added four ground balls and three draw controls. Goalie Andie Wagner made 17 saves and led the Gyrenes with seven ground balls.

Ave Maria plays one more game before Easter Break, as the Gyrenes welcome Keiser University to Gyrene Field. The game, which will be the first of two games between the teams, is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start in Ave Maria.