MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team started their 2021 with a victory on Thursday night, going on the road and claiming a 1-0 victory over the Eagles of Faulkner University at John Mark Stallings Field in Montgomery. A chaotic goal in the 60th minute from Rachel Dalton proved to be the difference, as the Gyrenes won their season opener for the fourth consecutive season.

Neither team could find the back of the net in the first half, despite opportunities for both sides. Ave Maria outshot the Eagles 8-7 in the opening 45 minutes, with five of the Gyrenes' eight shots coming on goal. The Gyrenes peppered Faulkner goalkeeper Keila Cardiero with four shots on goal in less than four minutes in the middle of the half, but all four shots were turned away as the match would eventually head to halftime with a 0-0 score.

After nearly 15 more minutes of scoreless action, the Gyrenes finally got on the board for what would prove to be the match's decisive goal. The Gyrenes had three chances to score on the play, with a first attempt blocked by a Faulkner defender and a second from Emily Dalton clanging off the post. Finally, the ball wound up on the foot of Rachel Dalton, who finished from point blank range for her first collegiate goal in her first collegiate game to give the Gyrenes the lead. Emily Dalton was credited with the assist on the play, giving her the 42nd point of her Gyrene career.

Playing with the lead for the final third of the match, the Gyrenes were able to keep the Eagles off the board and leave Alabama with the victory. The Ave Maria defense allowed just one shot to Faulkner in the final 30 minutes, a shot by Corinne Weissinger that sailed wide in the 80th minute.

At the back end of the Ave Maria defense, goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson recorded the second shutout of her AMU career. The senior goalie turned away both of Faulkner's shots on goal, which both came in the first half. Samuelson was the beneficiary of a defensive effort that saw Ave Maria outshoot Faulkner 18-9, and hold an 8-2 lead in shots on goal. 

Emily Dalton was the most active attacker for the Gyrenes in the opener, recording as many total shots as Faulkner's team combined and logging more shots on goal than the Eagles collectively. Six of AMU's eight shots on goal came from a Dalton sister - Sarah added two to go with Rachel's game-winner - while the other two shots on goal were supplied by Beth Staufenberger and Chiara O'Keefe.

Ave Maria continues their roadtrip on Saturday, when the Gyrenes take on Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon, and is the middle of three consecutive road games for AMU before the home opener on Wednesday, September 1 against Florida National University.