AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team gave the two-time defending national champions all they could handle on Saturday afternoon, taking the Keiser University Seahawks to overtime at Gyrene Field. Despite a game-winner in the 93rd minute giving Keiser a 2-1 win, the Gyrenes were the first Sun Conference team this season to play the defending champs to a one-goal margin.

Keiser put pressure on the Gyrenes early in the match, logging 14 shots in the opening 45 minutes. The Seahawks broke through in the 25th minute, as Kyoka Koshijima gave Keiser the lead. On a pass from Maja Lundman, Koshijima fired a shot that dribbled past the AMU keeper, opening the day's scoring.The goal would prove to be the only one scored in the first half, sending the teams to halftime with the score 1-0. 

Just over 13 minutes into the second half, Rachel Dalton came up with the equalizer for Ave Maria. Her sister, Sarah Dalton, fired off a pass near midfield, and Rachel was able to outrace the Keiser defense and beat the Keiser goalkeeper for her xth goal of the season. Rachel Dalton's seventh goal moved her into a tie for sixth in school history for a single season, and is the second most for an AMU freshman.

Saturday's match remained scoreless for more than 30 minutes, sending the contest into overtime. Keiser found the game-winner in the third minute of the overtime period, on just the second shot of extra time. Koshijima passed to Lundman at the top of the box, and the Seahawk buried her shot in the back of the net for Keiser's tenth win of the 2021 season.

Ave Maria found a way to force overtime with Keiser despite the Seahawks holding a 32-6 lead in shots attempted. The margin in shots on goal was less pronounced, but still favored Keiser by a 14-4 total. KU also had nine corner kick opportunities, while Ave Maria was able to create five of their own. 

Ariana Dale had a heroic effort for the Gyrenes, as the typical backup goalkeeper made 12 saves to keep the Gyrenes in the match for more than 92 minutes. Nine of Dale's saves came in the second half, with many coming to keep the score even at one. Other than Rachel Dalton's goal, AMU's three other shots on goal were taken by Elizabeth Nowak (2) and Chiara O'Keefe.

With four matches remaining in The Sun Conference season, the Gyrenes are squarely in the hunt for their second consecutive trip to the SUN postseason. The road to a potential postseason berth begins Thursday afternoon, when the Gyrenes face off with the Warriors of Webber International University. Ave Maria was a 5-3 winner over the Warriors, who are currently 3-2 in conference play, last season. Kickoff in Babson Park on the Warriors' Senior Day is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.