WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team faced off with an NCAA Division II program on Wednesday night, taking on the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic University. The Gyrenes jumped out to an early lead with two goals in the first four minutes, but could not sustain the effort in a 21-8 defeat at the Rinker Athletic Campus in West Palm Beach.
Emma Davis jump-started the Ave Maria attack in the opening minutes, scoring twice in a span of 26 seconds to give AMU a 2-0 lead. Palm Beach Atlantic proceeded to score ten of the last 13 goals in the opening 30 minutes, led by four goals from Kiki Cinotti. Alexis Cirnigliaro scored her first career goal for the Gyrenes, and Aiyanah Simms added two more goals to keep AMU within five goals at the halftime break.
Simms scored the first goal of the second half to help the Gyrenes within four, but the Sailfish responded with eleven of the next 12 goals to pull away from Ave Maria. Calena Carabelli and Simms scored the other two goals for AMU, while Palm Beach Atlantic's attack in the second half was led by two goals each from Grace Bartlinski, Maddie Frye, and Anna Laskaris.
Four of AMU's eight goals were provided by Simms, who scored on all four of her shots on goal. The junior also led the Gyrenes with five ground balls, four draw controls, and three caused turnovers. Davis added two goals scored and the lone AMU assist, while grabbing three draw controls and two ground balls. Kaylee Wesolowski made 12 saves in net for the Gyrenes, and added three ground balls to her total.
Cinotti was the game's most prolific player, scoring five goals and assisting on five others. Bartlinski added four goals, while Laskaris chipped in with three. Kelly Lyons and Chelsea Smith led all players with six draw controls a piece. Abigal Nehring and Sarah Vernarelli split time in goal for the Sailfish, with Nehring playing the first 30 minutes and the last 30 minutes belonging to Vernarelli.
Ave Maria's next three games will be on the road, part of a roadtrip to the Rust Belt. In a five-day span, the Gyrenes will face Franciscan, Siena Heights and Westminster in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, respectively. The first of those games will be March 3 in Steubenville, Ohio against the Barons of Franciscan University. Opening draw of that match is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
