NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team completed their Spring Break trip north on a positive note on Saturday, as the Gyrenes rallied for an 11-10 victory over the Titans of Westminster College. Ave Maria rallied from a 7-2 first half deficit, and scored the game-winning goal with under four minutes to play in the contest.
Westminster started hot on Saturday morning, scoring three goals in less than two minutes and four goals before the Gyrenes could get on the board. The Titans twice built a five-goal lead, holding advantages of 6-1 and 7-2. Ave Maria finished the half with three unanswered goals in the final nine minutes, as Alexa Keeler, Emma Davis, and Aubrey Garcia found the back of the net. Westminster entered halftime with a 7-5 lead over the Gyrenes.
It only took 5:18 for the Gyrenes to tie the game in the second half, as goals from Davis and Keeler evened the score at seven. The game remained within one goal for most of the second half, as Westminster held a lead of 8-7 and Ave Maria held a lead of 9-8. After a goal from Westminster's Michaela Hays, the game stood tied at nine with 10:31 to play. Nearly seven scoreless minutes would follow before the decisive final four minutes.
Aiyanah Simms scored the go-ahead goal for the Gyrenes, beating the goalkeeper with 3:47 on the clock. Simms scored again 47 seconds later, increasing AMU's lead to 11-9. Westminster clawed within one on a goal from Hays with 1:56 on the clock. In the final 116 seconds, the Gyrenes would force three Westminster turnovers, and did not allow the Titans to attempt a shot that would have possibly evened the score.
Keeler and Simms led the way for the Gyrene offense, scoring three goals a piece. Davis, who also scored two goals, led AMU with four draw controls, while Michelle Tran keyed the defensive effort with three caused turnovers. Nieve Macedo, Samantha Freeze, and Kaylee Wesolowski each had four ground balls in the winning effort. Wesolowski also made five saves, and earned the win in goal.
For Westminster, Hays was the leading scorer with four goals and two assists. Bria Braddock and Marisa Keller combined for 14 ground balls, while Braddock also snagged five draw controls. The Titan defense was led by Emily Marcus, who caused five Ave Maria turnovers. Emma Bradley made a game-high eight saves, but took the loss in net.
After six games away from home, the Gyrenes will play their regular season home opener on Wednesday night against Aquinas College from Michigan. The Saints entered the day with an 0-2 record, and will play both the Gyrenes and Keiser University during their trip to Florida. Opening draw of the home opener is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Gyrene Field.
