AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer program will officially open the 2019-2020 athletic season on Friday, when the Gyrenes take on Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. The game is the first of two for AMU in Alabama, with a game against Talladega College following on Saturday. The home slate starts next Wednesday, when Broward College comes to Gyrene Field.

Of the 17 players that played in at least ten matches last season, ten return to the 2019 roster. This group is led by senior captain Meghan Precord, who led the 2018 roster with nine points (two goals and five assists). Three other Gyrenes that scored two goals during the 2018 campaign - Laura Spence, Amanda Stacy, and Sarah Dalton - return as well, as does 2018 starting goalkeeper Molly Jensen. 

Ave Maria will also add 13 newcomers to the 2019 roster, including transfers from Broward College (Maria Rodriguez) and Division I Mount St. Mary's (Rachel Atherley). The newcomers, coupled with the returners, give the Gyrenes a roster full of options entering the 2019 season.

The non-conference schedule also includes a home match against an NCAA Division II opponent in Lynn University, which is scheduled for September 11 at Gyrene Field,  as well as a home match against Brewton-Parker College. The other three games in the out-of-league slate will come on the road, with roadtrips to face Florida College, Florida National, and Johnson and Wales on the docket.

In conference play, Ave Maria starts the schedule with road games against Southeastern and Keiser, both of whom advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA Tournament - Southeastern advanced to the semifinals, while Keiser finished as the national runner-up. Other road matches on the docket includes trips to Thomas, Webber, and USCB.

Five of the ten matches in conference will come at Gyrene Field, beginning with a date against Johnson & Wales on October 9. The home conference schedule also features matchups with Warner, St. Thomas, and Florida Memorial, and finishes up with Senior Day festivities on November 2, when the Bees of SCAD-Savannah come to town.

The 2019 season will be the third under head coach Tyler Rosser. Rosser oversaw an increase of four wins from his first year to his second, including conference victories over Florida Memorial and Webber International. Rosser will be assisted by graduate assistants Sarah McBride and Thalia Meza, and volunteer assistant Genevieve Riley.

All home matches will be broadcast live on Ave Maria's Stretch Internet portal, while road matches will be subject to the broadcast policies of the host school. Live stats will also be provided for all home matches.