MIRAMAR, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team moved back to .500 on the 2018 season on Saturday evening with a 4-1 victory over the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The Gyrenes never trailed in the match, and improved their record to 4-4 on the season, already topping last season's win total. 

Ave Maria jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the match to take a lead they would not relinquish. In the sixth minute, forward Kaveon Dux was fouled inside the penalty box, and easily buried the ensuing penalty kick to put the Gyrenes on top. The goal was Dux's ninth of the season, moving him into a tie for third in AMU single season history. He also became just the third player in school history to record 20 points in a single season.

Just over three minutes later, Donte Powell struck for his fourth goal of the season. In the ninth minute, Powell found the back of the net on a rocket from the left side, giving the Gyrenes a 2-0 lead less than ten minutes into the contest.

Florida Memorial got back within a goal on their home field in the 13th minute. On a free kick after an Ave Maria foul, Jesus Caballero scored the first FMU goal of the season, pulling the Lions back within 2-1.

Powell tallied his second goal of the match in the 32nd minute, re-extending Ave Maria's lead to two goals. A long pass from Joseph Popik allowed Powell to get behind the Florida Memorial defense, and the freshman beat the Lion goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season. Powell's goal, which marked his second multi-goal effort of the season, gave Ave Maria a 3-1 lead with less than 15 minutes to go in the half.

Resam Moghimi finished the Ave Maria scoring with less than three minutes until the end of the first half. Off a corner kick, the senior curled a shot inside the back post from outside the penalty box, notching his first goal of the season and giving AMU a 4-1 lead that would hold up for the entirety of the second half.

After a five-match roadtrip which saw the Gyrenes earn victories over Missouri Baptist and Florida Memorial, the Gyrenes will return home on Tuesday for a match with the Falcons of Florida College. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Gyrene Field in Ave Maria.