AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team saw their four match losing streak come to an end on Monday afternoon, as the Gyrenes fell 4-1 to the Knights of Middle Georgia State University at Gyrene Field. Middle Georgia, who entered the match in the receiving votes category of the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll, scored two goals in each half to upend the Gyrenes.

The match started relatively slowly, as neither team attempted a shot in the first 15 minutes, nor scored in the first 25. The Knights finally broke through in the 26th minute, as Miagh Downey scored on an assist from Tatjana Steinau. Downey added another goal in the 40th minute, with the assist credited to Alex Chapman. Downey's pair of goals gave Middle Georgia a 2-0 lead entering halftime. 

Hannah Theriault scored the third goal of the match for Middle Georgia, beating the AMU defense for an unassisted goal in the 57th minute. The final goal for the Knights completed a hat trick for Downey. A corner kick from Katie Roberts sailed over nearly everyone in the box before Downey placed it home for the fourth Middle Georgia goal of the afternoon. 

A set piece in the final 12 minutes of the match helped Ave Maria avoid the shutout at home. After a foul by Middle Georgia, a free kick from Julia Chapoton sailed into the box and found the head of junior Makenzie Ezell in the 80th minute. The junior college transfer placed the ball into the back of the net for her first goal as a Gyrene, and completed the day's scoring with just over eleven minutes to play. Ezell was also the only Gyrene to play the entire 90 minutes on Monday.

The shooting totals were nearly even between the Gyrenes and the Knights, with Middle Georgia holding an 11-10 lead in overall shots and 5-4 lead in shots on goal. Three Gyrenes attempted two shots in the losing effort - Emily Dalton, Rachel Dalton, and Chiara O'Keefe. For all three players, their totals included one shot on goal and one off-target shot. 

Another top-level team awaits the Gyrenes on Thursday, as Ave Maria heads to Lakeland to take on the Fire of Southeastern University, who are ranked No. 6 in the nation in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. The second of AMU's three matches this week, which concludes with a home match on Saturday against Thomas, is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.