AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team turned to a familiar hero on Wednesday afternoon, as freshman Rachel Dalton scored her second game-winner of the season in a 1-0 win over the Florida National University Conquistadors. Both of Dalton's winners this season have come in 1-0 games, with the first her goal in the season-opening win over Faulkner.

In the first half, the Gyrenes had numerous chances to get on the board, but could not find the back of the net against Florida National. Ave Maria held a 17-2 advantage in shots during the opening 45 minutes, including an 11-1 edge in shots on goal. However, FNU goalkeeper Vanesa Osorio turned away all eleven of those shots, and the Conquistador defense battled off seven AMU corner kicks to send the match to the half tied.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were much of the same, as every Ave Maria chance was stuffed by a resilient FNU defensive effort. In total, the Gyrenes added 12 more shots in the second half, including four that challenged Osorio. However, it was Dalton's shot in the 62nd minute that proved to be the difference in Wednesday's match.

Just under 17 minutes into the second half, another of Ave Maria's chances was rattling around the six-yard box, before finding the foot of Dalton. The freshman buried it for her second goal of the season, giving Ave Maria the 1-0 lead it had been searching for. 

With a one-goal lead intact, the Gyrenes were able to play more of a possession game in the final 30 minutes. Despite continuing to push for an insurance goal, the back end of the AMU defense did not allow any scoring chances to the Conquistadors. In fact, Ave Maria's midfield and defensive control did not yield a single shot to Florida National in the final 45 minutes.

Ave Maria's 29-shot effort was led by Emily Dalton, who attempted ten of those shots with four attempts on net. In addition to her game-winner, Rachel Dalton was the AMU leader in shots on goal with seven. Also in double figures in the shot column were Elizabeth Nowak (3), Lauren Brooks (2), and Julia Chapoton (2).

Maddie Samuelson earned her second clean sheet of the season, turning away the only shot on goal attempted by Florida National. Key in the Ave Maria defensive effort were Laura Spence and Mackenzie Ezell, who were the only two field players for the Gyrenes to stay on the field for the entire match, with the game time temperature at 93 degrees and the heat index north of 100 degrees.

The Gyrenes will play their second home match in a row this coming Saturday, when Ave Maria plays host to the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The middle of three matches in six days for Ave Maria is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. at Gyrene Field.