AVE MARIA, Fla.  – The Ave Maria University men's soccer team came away with a dominating 3-0 shutout win over Trinity College (Fla.) in its season opener on Saturday evening at Gyrene Field.
 
The Gyrenes registered all three of their goals in the opening half – including a pair in the initial 7:44 of the match.
 
AMU (1-0) claimed a 1-0 edge when junior Tomas Licheri bent home a corner kick just under the cross bar and the reach of Trinity goalie Justin Lawrence to put the Gyrenes up just 1:52 into the match.
 
Trinity was whistled for a penalty for a takedown at the far edge of the penalty box at the 7:44 mark – setting up a successful penalty kick attempt by senior Nikola Vinski, which extended the advantage to 2-0.
 
Sophomore Ben Tumey blasted a shot past Lawrence from just outside the top of the penalty area to make the score 3-0 AMU, with just under 20 minutes left in the first half.
 
The Gyrenes outshot the Tigers 26-6 in the match and earned nine corner kick opportunities, while limiting Trinity to a pair.
 
AMU keeper Rhys Lawlor secured the only two shots placed on goal by the Tigers to secure the shutout.  Lawrence allowed all three Gyrene tallies and finished with 11 saves.
 
The Gyrenes return to action on Saturday, August 28 vs. Florida College in a 5 p.m. ET start at Gyrene Field.