SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team saw a late comeback attempt fall short on Monday afternoon in a 14-12 loss to Converse College, an NCAA Division II program. 

Ave Maria scored the first goal to take their only lead of the game less than three minutes into the contest. Alexis Smich provided the tally for the Gyrenes, with Aiyanah Simms picking up the assist. Converse scored the next two goals, and led for the remainder of the first half. The Gyrenes were able to score the final two goals of the half on scores from Smich and Katelyn Sherman to pull within one goal, 8-7, at halftime. Simms and Smich each had two goals in the opening frame, with Sherman, Alexa Keeler, and Georgia Miller also scoring.

Goals from Smich and Sherman tied the game at nine with 20:11 to play, but Converse answered with four of the next five goals to take a 13-10 lead with 11:06 remaining. The only Ave Maria goal in that stretch came from Isabella Pinsonault. The Gyrenes attempted to rally in the final five minutes of the game with goals from Miller and Sherman, who scored to pull Ave Maria within 13-12 with 23 seconds left. Converse put the game away with three seconds remaining on a goal from Brittni Jones.

Smich and Sherman were the Gyrene leaders offensively, scoring three goals each. Sherman also led Ave with five ground balls. Simms led AMU with five points, adding three assists to her two goals. Miller added two goals in the losing effort, and had a team-high four draw controls. Andie Wagner made five saves in the net, all of which came in the second half. Jones and Sharlize Burgos combined for nine goals for the Valkyries.

The Spring Break trip for the Gyrenes concludes with a major test on Wednesday. Ave Maria will face off with No. 2 Lawrence Tech, who enters the game ranked second in the nation. The 3-1 Blue Devils claimed a 15-11 victory over the Gyrenes last season in Ave Maria. The game, which will be played at SCAD Savannah's home field in Savannah, Georgia, is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.