AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team came up just short on Tuesday evening, dropped a 2-1 decision in non-conference action to the Falcons of Florida College at Gyrene Field in Ave Maria. The Gyrenes rallied from a 2-0 deficit to get within one, but couldn't complete the comeback in their first defeat of the 2020 season.

Almost 30 minutes went by before either team found the back of the net. It was the visiting Falcons that struck first, as Camilo Arango found Hugo Torregrossa in front of the net for the game's opening tally in the 29th minute. Florida College then scored in the final seconds of the half, making it 2-0 on a goal from Uziel Hernandez with one second remaining. Danila Alferov provided the assist in what would prove to be the game-winner.

Just 41 seconds in game time later, the Gyrenes answered to pull within one. A picture-perfect cross from Raphael Rodriguez found the head of Sebastian Foltz, who scored his first goal in an Ave Maria uniform. Unfortunately for the Gyrenes, that 2-1 score would hold up for the remainder of the second half. 

Ave Maria's best scoring opportunity came on a penalty kick following a red card given to the Falcons' starting goalkeeper in the 75th minute. The ensuing penalty kick hit the post, and the Gyrenes would manage just one shot with the man advantage in the final 14 minutes and change.

Florida College outshot the Gyrenes by a 15-10 margin, and put 12 shots on goal to six for the Gyrenes. Goalkeeper Rhys Lawlor played admirably for AMU, coming on early in the match as a substitute. The freshman made six saves in his first taste of collegiate action, and did not allow a goal in his first full half of action.

Offensively, five players provided the six shots on goal from Ave Maria. The lone Gyrene to log more than one attempt on net was Rodriguez, who was also the only AMU player with three total shots. Josh Gaeng and Nikola Vinski also added two shots each in the defeat.

The Gyrenes will conclude their stretch of four consecutive home matches to start the season on Saturday, hosting the Bobcats of St. Thomas University at Gyrene Field. St. Thomas is currently 1-1, with a victory over Webber and a 3-0 loss to Florida National. Kickoff at Gyrene Field, the first of three home AMU events on Saturday, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.