MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team went toe-to-toe with a top ten team on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 to the Bobcats of St. Thomas University. The match was 1-0 for the majority of the match, with both teams scoring a goal in the final minute to keep the final deficit at one goal. The Gyrenes withstood an onslaught from the STU attack to stay with one of The Sun Conference's top sides.

St. Thomas struck first in the conference fixture, taking a lead they would not relinquish in the 27th minute. Alvaro Bode scored his second goal of the season, as the Bobcat wound up one on one with the AMU goalkeeper, and finished to the right side. The goal would prove to be the only tally for either side in the first half, as the Bobcats led 1-0 at the break despite a 10-1 edge in shots.

Ave Maria continued to hang around in the second half, keeping themselves in the match by keeping the Bobcats within just one goal. St. Thomas took another 12 shots, while the Gyrenes were more active themselves, taking five shots. The Bobcats also had eight corner kick opporunities in the second, but AMU was able to hang around until a flurry of goals in the final minute of the match. 

The Bobcats seemingly put the match away in the 90th minute, scoring their second goal of the match. Facundo Cisterna took a pass from Federico Landaburu, and placed his shot to the lower right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season. The Bobcats had a 2-0 lead with less than a minute to play in the match, likely ending any hopes for an Ave Maria comeback.

Seconds later, the Gyrenes got the goal back to cut it to 2-1. The Gyrenes raced ahead, and a cross found the foot of Nikola Vinski. The senior scored for the second match in a row, logging his fourth goal of the season. AMU's first goal of the night would not be enough, as St. Thomas would hold on in the closing seconds to prevent another late goal from the visiting Gyrenes.

In total, St. Thomas held a 22-6 edge in shots attempted, as well as a 12-3 edge in shots on goal. Ave Maria stayed in the match despite eleven corner kick opportunities for the Bobcats. Rhys Lawlor did everything he could to keep AMU within striking distance, making seven saves for the Gyrenes. Offensively, Vinski was AMU's most active attacker with two shots, both on goal.

AMU's schedule does not get easier this weekend, as the number two team in the nation comes to Gyrene Field. Ave Maria will host the Keiser University Seahawks under the lights at Gyrene Field, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.