AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team could not pull off the upset of one of the nation's top 15 teams Monday morning, as the visiting SCAD-Savannah Bees earned a 4-0 victory over Ave Maria at Gyrene Field. The Bees scored twice in the first half, and scored two more in the second half to remain unbeaten in conference play. The defeat drops AMU to 1-2-1 in SUN play, and 4-4-4 overall.

SCAD peppered the Gyrenes with shots in the first half, outshooting the hosts by a 13-1 margin. AMU held tough for nearly 30 minutes, but a set piece from the Bees opened the scoring in the 29th minute. A corner kick from Berglind Baldursdottir found the head of Abigail Siddall, who found the back of the net to put SCAD up 1-0. The Bees added their second goal in the 42nd minute, as a Gyrene tackle led to a penalty kick, which was finished off by Lane Lieberman.

The pace quickened in the second half, with the teams combining for 23 shots (16 for SCAD and seven for the Gyrenes). Ave Maria's defense again held up for around 30 minutes, with SCAD's third goal coming in the 78th minute. Siddall again scored on a pass from Baldursdottir, getting to a loose ball just before the AMU keeper and scoring from point blank range. Ines Sommer concluded the scoring in the 88th minute, scoring on an assist from Mia Gomez. 

In total, the Bees, who entered the game ranked 12th in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll, outshot the Gyrenes by a 29-8 margin. AMU's 29 shots faced tied a season high, even with Ave Maria's scoreless draw against Aquinas back on September 7. SCAD's advantage was even more pronounced in shots on goal, as 16 of SCAD's shots tested goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson, as opposed to three of AMU's shots doing the same in the other direction.

Ave Maria's offensive tries were provided mostly by three players, who accounted for seven of the eight shots and all three of the shots on goal. Gabby Decker, Kaitlyn Ramos, and Rachel Dalton all had scoring chances during the conference affair, but saw their shots turned away at the net. In goal, Maddie Samuelson logged 12 saves for the Gyrenes, playing all 90 minutes.

Another nationally ranked for awaits Ave Maria on Thursday. The ninth-ranked Southeastern University Fire will be looking for a measure of revenge, as the Gyrenes stunned the Fire 2-0 last season in Lakeland. It will be Senior Day at Ave Maria, with the nine members of the AMU women's soccer senior class honored. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with Senior Day festivities prior to the match.