AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria women's lacrosse team scored six straight goals in the first half to pull away from Nichols and cruise to a 17-8 win on Monday afternoon.
 
The Gyrenes struck first with a goal by Aiyanah Simms off a pass from Karina Shaffrey less than a minute into the game. After a Nichols goal, AMU scored six straight to take a 7-1 lead. Katelyn Sherman scored two goals during the spurt while Simms, Calena Carabelli, Amanda Spurlin, and Stephanie Hilker also scored for AMU.
 
Two goals by Nichols made it 7-3 AMU before Alexis Smich scored just before the half to increase the Gyrenes' advantage to five.
 
Jessica Denara opened the scoring in the second with an assist from Shaffrey followed by an Alexa Keeler goal assisted by Sherman to make it 10-3.
 
Simms scored back-to-back goals followed by three straight by Emma Davis to put the Blue and Green in front 15-7. Victoria Cox and Alexandra Chunchukov each scored their first goals of the season in the AMU win.
 
The Gyrenes out-shot Nichols 46-22 and held a 26-24 edge in groundballs. Nichols won the draw control battle 14-13.
 
Simms led AMU with four goals and one assist. Davis had three goals and Sherman had two and an assist. Sherman also led the Gyrenes with four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Davis tied Sherman for the team-high with three caused turnovers. Davis and Carabelli each had four draw controls.
 
Nieve Macedo got the win in net for the Gyrenes. She allowed eight goals and made seven saves for AMU.
 
The Blue and Green return to action on Thursday when the host Ottawa at 5 p.m.