AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team forced overtime with yet another clutch goal on Wednesday afternoon, but eventually fell in double overtime, 4-3, to the Sand Sharks of the University of South Carolina Beaufort in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The Gyrenes scored in the final ten minutes of regulation to force the extra frame, but a penalty kick in double OT sealed their fate.

The first 15 minutes marked a dream start for the Gyrenes, as Ave Maria jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Rachel Dalton logged the first goal in the 12th minute, turning a USCB turnover into her fifth goal of the season. She then assisted on the second goal of the afternoon, as her shot banged off the crossbar, but fell to sister Emily Dalton, who finished with a header. Dalton's eighth goal of the season gave the Gyrenes a two-goal lead less than 15 minutes in.

USCB rallied, scoring once in the first half and two more in the second to take the lead. The first goal of the day from the Sand Sharks came in the final minute of the first half, as Madison Foshee headed a corner kick from Mari Kalvatn into the net, cutting AMU's lead to 2-1. The Sand Sharks tied the match in the 60th minute on a goal from Henriette Harr haga, then took the lead in the 68th minute, thanks to a header from Foshee, her second goal of the match. 

As she has done so many times over the past two seasons, Emily Dalton came through in the clutch, scoring a goal that would send the match to overtime. In the 82nd minute, a shot from Rachel Dalton was saved, but rolled to the foot of AMU's all-time scoring leader. Emily Dalton finished to the left side of the net for her ninth goal, tying the match at three. With her two goals, Dalton became the first player in school history to score eight or more goals in back-to-back seasons.

In overtime, neither team could find the back of the net in the first overtime session, but a Gyrene miscue led to the Sand Shark winner in the second overtime. A Gyrene foul in the box gave Aurya Downey a chance to win the match in the 105th minute, and the Sand Sharks connected on the golden goal to conclude the match. 

Wednesday's game was an extremely active one offensively, as the teams combined for 45 shots and 24 shots on goal. USCB held the advantage in both categories, outshooting AMU 25-20 and 13-11. USCB's offensive output also included nine corner kick opportunities.

Ave Maria's trip north continues on Saturday, as the Gyrenes take on another team that is currently receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. AMU battles the Bees of SCAD-Savannah on the road, with kickoff between the Gyrenes and the Bees scheduled for 2:00 p.m.