AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team played their final home game of the 2019 season on Saturday, losing 25-8 to the Bees of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The Bees, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation and have not lost a game to an NAIA opponent in nearly two years, led from start to finish at Gyrene Field.

The Bees jumped out to a 5-0 lead, scoring five times in the opening eight minutes of the contest. Two goals from Drew Dowgiallo, two from Sydney Knego, and one from Harper Barth provided the early scoring for SCAD. The Gyrenes were able to respond with two of the next four goals, getting tallies from Katelyn Sherman and Emma Davis before the Bees reeled off four more goals to extend their lead to 11-2.

Ave Maria's best stretch of the game came in a span of just over two munutes, when the Gyrenes outscored the Bees, 3-1. Two goals from Aiyanah Simms and another from Amanda Spurlin helped AMU get back within 12-5. However, the Bees scored four goals in the final nine minutes before the half, and led 16-6 after a late goal from AMU's Spurlin.

The second half saw the Bees extend their lead, as SCAD scored the first four goals of the half, as well as the final five. SCAD's runs sandwiched back-to-back goals from Simms, who scored on a man-advantage with 14:10 to play and again with 9:30 on the clock. Jordan Mitchell, Knego, and Dowgiallo scored two goals each in the second half, while Mae Dougherty, Mackenzie Demott, and Barth all scored once.

Simms was the leading attacker for the Gyrenes in the losing effort, finding the back of the net four times with one assist. Spurlin was the only other Ave Maria player with multiple goals, scoring twice. Nieve Macedo caused two turnovers for the Gyrenes, while Kaylee Wesolowski led AMU with three ground balls and stopped 13 shots in the net.

AMU will play each of their final three games away from home, with all three coming in Mid-South Conference games. The first of these games will come Saturday, April 6, when the Gyrenes visit Keiser University. The No. 4 Seahawks are currently undefeated in Mid-South play, while Ave Maria sits at 1-1. The opening draw is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in West Palm Beach.