BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team came up one goal short on Thursday afternoon, dropping a 3-2 decision on the road to the Warriors of Webber International University in Babson Park. Ave Maria scored at least one goal for the eleventh consecutive game, but could not overcome an early Webber lead in The Sun Conference battle.

The match had a nearly perfect start for the Gyrenes, as Ave Maria took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. The goal was provided by Hannah Dalton, who logged her first tally of the season. The senior, on a pass from younger sister Rachel Dalton, floated a shot over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper, giving Ave Maria the lead just 3:58 into the match. 

From there, though, the Warriors took control of the match. Deborah Guillen scored the equalizer for Webber in the seventh minute, and Faith Cullen-Cooper followed with a goal on a free kick in the 15th minute. The third goal for the Warriors would come just under 30 minutes later, as Versailles Clark scored on an assist from Domenica Pena in the 43rd minute, giving Webber a 3-1 lead at halftime. 

Rachel Dalton did it all herself to put the Gyrenes back in the match. The freshman scored her eighth goal of the season when she stole the ball from a defender in the attacking third, then fired a shot past the Webber goalkeeper from the top of the box. Despite the momentum from the goal in the 50th minute, Ave Maria would not be able to find the equalizer in the remainder of the contest. 

The two teams combined to pepper the net for 30 total shots - 16 for Webber and 14 for Ave Maria. The Gyrenes actually took more shots on goal, with eight of their shots challenging the goalkeeper to six for the Warriors. Webber also proved to be the more aggressive team on the afternoon, as the officials whistled the Warriors for 14 total fouls while charging the Gyrenes with seven. 

Rachel and Hannah Dalton were responsible for most of Ave Maria's chances on Thursday, combining for five of the team's six shots on goal. In net, Maddie Samuelson came off the bench in the second half and kept the Warriors off the board, making a pair of saves in her first appearance in nearly three weeks. 

Ave Maria returns home on Saturday, when the Gyrenes take on the Royals of Warner University in match the Gyrenes need to win to keep pace in the race for a spot in The Sun Conference Tournament. Kickoff at Gyrene Field is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.