AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team fell victim to two second half goals by the Briar Cliff University Chargers on Thursday night, and dropped a 4-2 decision in non-conference action at Gyrene Field. The match marked the first ever meeting between the Gyrenes and the Chargers, who hail from Sioux City, Iowa.
Ave Maria struck first on Thursday evening, taking a 1-0 lead late in the 13th minute. A perfect pass from Raphael Rodriguez set up Greg Lawrence, who placed his shot in the bottom corner of the net to put AMU on top. Briar Cliff answered in the 21st minute, when Rodrigo Oliveira scored from close range on a shot blasted just over the outstretched arms of AMU goalkeeper John Turner.
The score remained tied at half, as the teams traded penalty kicks in the final 25 minutes of the first half. Briar Cliff took their first lead of the match in the 22nd minute, as Sebastian Justiniano converted on a penalty after a foul by Ave Maria in the box. Kensley Jean Baptiste then tied the game with 15 seconds remaining in the half, scoring from the spot for his fourth goal of the season and increasing his school record for career goals.
Briar Cliff took control of the match in the second half, scoring twice to put the Gyrenes away. The first tally came in the 49th minute on a bicycle kick just inside the box from Marcus Horwood. The visiting Chargers then added another goal in the 53rd minute, as Oliveira found Horwood for his second goal of the match.
The Chargers outshot the Gyrenes 11-6 on the match, but only held a 6-4 lead in shots on goal. Apart from the goals scored by Jean Baptiste and Lawrence, a shot on goal was also recorded by Eamon McQuade, as well as a second shot by Jean Baptiste. The match was hotly contested between the two teams, with five overall yellow cards handed out.
Each of Ave Maria's next five matches will be on the road, with the next home match coming on October 5 against Thomas in Sun Conference action. The first match of the roadtrip comes on Tuesday, when the Gyrenes travel to Temple Terrace for a meeting with Florida College. Kickoff at Qualls Field is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with a match against Keiser to follow on Saturday.
