WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer ended their season by keeping the number one team in the nation off the scoreboard for the final 60 minutes on Saturday, but two early goals proved to be the difference as the No. 1 Keiser University Seahawks defeated the Gyrenes, 2-0, in West Palm Beach. AMU played with the Sun Conference's regular season champions, but could not find the goal that may have turned momentum.

The scoring for the Seahawks started in the 17th minute. Ramona Kennedy got Keiser on the board, placing a right footed shot to the left side of the net. The assist on the opening goal of the morning was credited to Ayaka Matsumaru. What proved to be the final goal of the day followed in the 30th minute. Following an Ave Maria foul, Lauren Riley tapped in a free kick from Marthe Taugbol, accounting for her tenth goal of the season. After the two Keiser goals, the final 15 minutes of the first half passed uneventfully, keeping the KU lead at 2-0.

In the second half, the Gyrenes went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending national champions, playing an even half of soccer. Keiser attempted eight shots in the second half, four of which were saved by AMU goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson. Keiser also had four corner kick opportunities, but the stellar Ave Maria back line did not let the Seahawks pad their lead in the regular season finale. 

Keiser outshot the Gyrenes 23-2 on Saturday, including a 10-1 edge in shots on goal. The Ave Maria defense did an admirable job holding Keiser to just two goals, turning away eight corner kicks in particular. Brenda Tubb provided Ave Maria's lone shot on goal, an effort saved by Keiser goalkeeper Grace McClellan in the 58th minute, while Madelyn Krause fired a shot in the 24th minute that was blocked.

In her final game as a Gyrene, Samuelson made eight saves, bringing her season total to 84. Allowing just two goals to the nation's top-ranked team, Samuelson became the first goalkeeper in program history to finish a season with a goals against average under 1.00, at 0.98. Samuelson will depart from Ave Maria as the program's all-time leader in goals against average and shutouts, as well as in possession of the single season records in both categories.

The Gyrenes finish the 2022 season with a 4-7-5 record, earning at least one point (a win or a draw) in nine of their 16 matches. Ave Maria allowed just 21 goals over 16 matches, setting a new program record for fewest goals surrendered in a season. While a number of major contributors will graduate, nine of Ave Maria's top eleven players in minutes played are underclassmen, pointing to a bright future for the program.