LAKELAND, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team dealt Missouri Baptist University their first loss of the season on Saturday evening, using three first half goals to claim a 3-0 victory over the Spartans. The Gyrenes move to 3-3 on the year with the victory, evening their win total from the 2017 season.

The Gyrenes wasted no time in taking the lead, scoring just 17 seconds into the match. On the first play of the match, Kaveon Dux scored his eighth goal of the season, becoming just the fourth Gyrene to score eight goals in a season. Through six games, Dux has logged 18 points, ranking him second in the nation.

Ave Maria's lead extended to two goals in the 20th minute, as Kensley Jean Baptiste struck for his sixth goal of the season. The goal, Jean Baptiste's 13th in his first two seasons on campus, extended his new Ave Maria record for goals in a career, which he broke in Ave's contest with St. Thomas earlier this week. He also became the new Ave record holder in career points with 30, breaking a tie with Christian Paz, who set the mark in 2010.

Just under eight minutes later, the Gyrenes made it 3-0 on the Spartans, who entered the contest 3-0, which included a victory over Thomas University. The AMU tally came from Donte Powell, his third goal of the season. Powell's strike came on an assist from Cedric Georges, who logged his first career point.

The 3-0 lead was more than enough for Ave goalkeeper Andrea Salomone. The senior stopped all seven Missouri Baptist shots on goal to log a clean sheet for the Gyrenes. The shutout was the second in his career, and moved his career saves total to 250, the top mark in Ave Maria school history.

Missouri Baptist led the Gyrenes in most categories, but could not overcome the early 3-0 deficit. The Spartans outshot the Gyrenes 11-7, and had eight corner kick opportunities. Three yellow cards were handed out between the teams, and 26 fouls were committed. 

The Gyrenes will play two road matches this coming week to finish off a five match roadtrip. Ave Maria will battle NCAA Division II foe Nova Southeastern on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, and will finish the week on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game against Florida Memorial University. Kickoff in the Nova Southeastern match is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.