WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team faced their biggest test of the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon, squaring off with the No. 1 team in the nation and the two-time defending national champions, the Keiser University Seahawks. The Seahawks used three first half goals to put away the Gyrenes early, and claimed a 4-0 victory in West Palm Beach. 

Keiser struck early in the contest, getting on the board in the eighth minute of the match on a goal from Oline Sundgot. The match remained scoreless for more than 20 minutes, until Larissa Weber placed a shot in the lower corner of the net in the 31st minute, giving Keiser a 2-0 lead. The third goal of the first half came in the closing moments of the period, as a corner kick from Kyoka Koshijma found the right foot of Leonie Salzgeber, who finished with ten seconds remaining in the half to send the Seahawks to the break with a 3-0 lead.

In the second half, the teams were more evenly matched, with Keiser holding a 9-4 lead in shots after holding a 10-1 edge in the opening 45 minutes. The lone goal in the final period came from the Seahawks in the 65th minute. Koshijma logged her second assist of the day, as a cross was sent into the net by Salzgeber for what would be her second goal of the match and the season.

The Seahawks held a 19-5 lead in shots on Saturday afternoon, including a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. Elizabeth Nowak was the lone Gyrene with two shots in the contest, with Rachel Dalton, Lauren Brooks, and Brenda Tubb supplying the other three shots. The two shots on goal, which were turned away by Keiser goalkeeper Grace McClellan, were taken by Tubb and Brooks.

Maddie Samuelson, the reigning Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week, did everything she could to keep the Seahawks from pulling away any further. The senior stopped a season-high six shots, including four in the match's first 45 minutes.

After playing their first three matches of the season on the road, the Gyrenes will finally take the field at home on Wednesday afternoon. Ave Maria will play host to the Conquistadors of Florida National University at Gyrene Field, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Gyrenes earned the win over FNU last season, using two goals from Emily Dalton and one more by Hannah Dalton to pick up a 3-0 triumph.