AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team found a way to win The Sun Conference's Match of the Week on Saturday afternoon, claiming a bizarre 2-1 victory over the Thomas University Night Hawks at Gyrene Field. The Gyrenes earned their first Sun Conference win of the season on two goals in unlikely circumstances, defeating a Thomas tied that had drawn with No. 8 St. Thomas just a week ago.

Thomas looked to have control of the match early, netting the opening goal in the eleventh minute. Joao Pedro Vinha got the Night Hawks on the board, scoring with a header off a Thomas corner kick, James Hall and Regan Mclaren were credited with assists on the play, giving Thomas a 1-0 lead that would last until the waning moments of the first half.

In the final minute of the first half, a yellow card gave Ave Maria a penalty kick opportunity. Nikola Vinski's first attempt from the spot had looked to been saved by the Night Hawks, but the official's flag was up, signaling the goalkeeper had come off his line. Vinski took full advantage of his second chance, burying his try with only 30 seconds left in the frame, sending the match to halftime even at one. 

Ave Maria's winner was even more bizarre than the equalizer. In the 87th minute, with less than four minutes remaining on the clock, the Gyrenes sent a low cross towards the net. That cross was inadvertantly placed in the net by one of Thomas' defenders, leading to an own goal. The own goal proved to be the game-winner, as Ave Maria was able to hang on for the final four minutes to earn the conference win. 

Both teams were active offensively on Saturday, with the Gyrenes and Night Hawks combining for 30 shots - 16 for Thomas and 14 for Ave Maria. The shots on target category favored the Gyrenes, however, with AMU taking seven shots on goal to four for the Night Hawks. The two teams played an extremely physical contest, with six yellow cards and 31 fouls whistled between the clubs. 

Vinski was the most active attacker on the pitch in the Match of the Week, taking five shots with three on target, including the equalizer late in the first half. Josh Gaeng and Sebastian Foltz both attempted two shots, as well. After the early goal from the Night Hawks, Rhys Lawlor kept Thomas off the board for the final 80 minutes, making three key saves in the first half to keep the match at 1-0, leading to AMU's rally.

Following their biggest win of the season to date, the Gyrenes now face their biggest test - two top ten teams in the next week. That gauntlet starts on Wednesday, when AMU heads across Alligator Alley to take on the No. 8 Bobcats of St. Thomas University. Kickoff in Miami Gardens is set for 6:00 p.m. The second match of the week comes Saturday, against No. 2 Keiser University at home.