AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team completely controlled the action on Tuesday night, claiming a 3-0 victory over the Falcons of Florida College at Gyrene Field. The Gyrenes outshot the Falcons by a margin of 43-2, and were responsible for all 18 of the game's shots on goal. The win moved the Gyrenes to 4-3 on the season, moving AMU back above .500 with five games remaining in the fall.
For the fourth time this season, the goal that proved to be the game-winner was provided by Emily Dalton. The senior buried a free kick in the 23rd minute from 20 yards out for her ninth goal of the season. Her fourth game-winning goal of the season broke a school record, which was originally set by Victoria Johnson in 2013. The goal also made Dalton the third player in school history to post more than 20 points in a single season, and the first since 2013.
Ave Maria's lead of 1-0 carried into halftime, despite 25 shots taken by the Gyrenes. It took less than nine minutes for the Gyrenes to add to their lead, doing so in the 54th minute. Dalton added her 21st point of the season with an assist, finding the foot of Lauren Brooks. Brooks finished below the arms of the outstretched keeper for her second goal of the season, which also marked Brooks' second straight game with a goal.
Just under 15 minutes later, the Gyrenes finished the scoring with their third goal of the night. A corner kick from Beth Staufenberger was placed into the back of the net by freshman Chiara O'Keefe, who also scored her second goal of the season. The assist for Staufenberger was the first of the season for the junior.
After logging 25 shots in the first half, Ave Maria attempted 18 more in the second half for a total of 43. The Gyrenes added ten shots on goal in the second half after posting eight in the opening 45 minutes. Both totals tied a season-high for Ave Maria, and the shot total came one short of tying the school record, which was set in the 2013 season.
The most active attacker for the Gyrenes was Emily Dalton, who attempted a school-record 17 shots and put six of those shots on goal. Staufenberger added six shots, while Celena Liguori put four of her five shots on goal. Brooks, O'Keefe, and Hannah Dalton also added four shot attempts. Goalkeeper Amanda Stacy faced just two Florida College shots, both of which were off-target, en route to a shutout in her first appearance of the season.
AMU returns to the field on Saturday for a crucial conference matchup against Warner University. The Gyrenes currently hold a one-game lead over the Royals for fifth place in the conference standings, and remain in the hunt for a possible home game in The Sun Conference Tournament. Kickoff between the Gyrenes and the Royals in Lake Wales is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
