AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team ended a seven-match losing streak to the USCB Sand Sharks in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, scoring in double overtime for a 2-1 win at Gyrene Field. The win was Ave Maria's first overtime victory since the 2016 season, and marked the program's first win over USCB since September 4, 2011.

Neither team found the back of the net in the game's first 45 minutes. Ave Maria goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson had to turn away four USCB shots on goal, while the lone AMU shot on goal was stopped by USCB's Mariah Ruckdeschel in the 20th minute. The visiting Sand Sharks held a 7-2 lead in shots in the first half, and took the only corner kick of the opening half. 

USCB broke the ice in the 49th minute, scoring just over three minutes into the second half. The Sand Sharks' Madeline Matusik evaded an AMU defender to find herself open in front of the net. The junior finished for her second goal of the season, giving USCB a 1-0 lead. 

Ave Maria found their answer with 12:14 remaining on the clock, as a set piece evened the match and eventually sent the match into overtime. A corner kick from Haley Iacona was first touched by Celena Liguori, then was placed into the net by freshman Jeanine Sullivan. Sullivan's first collegiate goal came on a kick with her back to the goal, and evened the score at one. The score would remain 1-1 after 90 minutes, as well as after the first ten minute overtime period.

With less than four minutes remaining until the match would be declared a draw, the Gyrenes had a corner kick. Beth Staufenberger's corner headed towards the back post, where it found the head of Emily Dalton. The senior beat the goalkeeper for her tenth goal of the season, which also marked her fifth game-winning goal, a total that currently leads the nation. Staufenberger earned the assist on the game-winner, her second of the season.

The Sand Sharks outshot the Gyrenes on Saturday afternoon, holding a 12-9 edge in shots and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. Dalton led all players with six total shots and three shots on goal, while Matusik had four shots to lead the way for USCB. Maddie Samuelson earned the victory in net for the Gyrenes, stopping seven of the eight shots on goal she faced in more than 107 minutes of action. Her counterpart, reigning Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week Mariah Ruckdeschel had three saves.

The Gyrenes moved to .500 in conference play with the victory, which is currently good for fourth place in the league. Ave Maria will have another crucial contest on Wednesday, when the Gyrenes travel to Miami Gardens for a meeting with the St. Thomas University Bobcats. St. Thomas won the first meeting of the season between the teams, a 1-0 affair that was also decided in double overtime. Kickoff in Miami Gardens is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.