Box Score AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team faced their second consecutive national powerhouse on Wednesday evening, taking on the Fire of Southeastern University, who have been to the national quarterfinals or beyond in three consecutive seasons. Southeastern claimed a 3-0 victory over AMU at Gyrene Field, which marked the lowest scoring output for SEU against Ave Maria in more than five seasons.
Southeastern scored twice in the first half, putting both of their goals in the back of the net in the first 30 minutes. The Fire's scoring started in the 16th minute, as Naira Lopez found Aisha Solorzano for a goal. Solorzano took the pass from Lopez, evaded the Ave Maria goalkeeper, and scored from close range. Lopez also assisted on the second goal of the half, finding Anne-Clara Couturier in the 29th minute. The goals were the seventh and fifth of the season for Solorzano and Couturier, respectively.
The Gyrenes had one of their best scoring opportunities in the first half, less than a minute after Southeastern's second goal. After a foul on the Fire, senior Emily Dalton ripped a free kick from nearly 40 yards out that ricocheted off the crossbar. Both teams managed nine shots in the first half, but Southeastern did hold a 6-1 edge in shots on goal.
Wednesday's final goal came from Southeastern in the 80th minute of the match. Solorzano added to her tally with her eighth goal of the season, which came on an assist from Mashell Rodriguez. The Fire also had four more shots on goal, while Ave Maria's best scoring opportunity came in the final minute of the match. A shot from junior Beth Staufenberger hit the post, missing a goal by mere inches. A follow up shot, which proved to be the final one of the match, also missed the target.
Emily Dalton led Ave Maria's attack on the day, taking six shots. Staufenberger added five more shots, as well as the team's lone shot on goal. Freshmen Chiara O'Keefe and Lauren Brooks both had two shots against the Fire. In net, Maddie Samuelson kept the Gyrenes in the match with nine saves, marking her second highest total of the season.
Ave Maria returns to the road on Saturday for a match with the Warriors of Webber International University. Webber currently holds a 2-3-1 record, which includes a 1-3 record in Sun Conference play. Kickoff in Babson Park is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
