BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's lacrosse team took a lead into the fourth quarter on Wednesday evening, but could not hang on for their first win of the season, falling 15-12 to the Webber International University Warriors. Ave Maria led 11-10 with 15 minutes to play, but Webber outscored the Gyrenes 5-1 in the final frame to emerge with their first victory of the season. 

The first quarter started quickly, with four goals in the first eight minutes. Emma Davis scored twice in the first six minutes of the game for AMU, with Hannah Shaffrey adding an assist on the goal that put the Gyrenes up 2-0. Webber answered with two goals of their own, with Samantha Esher and Sydney Britton doing the scoring. Neither team could score in the final seven minutes of the quarter, leaving the score even at two after 15 minutes.

Webber continued their scoring to start the second quarter, as goals from Courtnie Couch and Esher gave the hosts a 4-2 lead. Ave Maria responded with three unanswered goals to retake the edge. Shaffrey scored her second goal of the game, then assisted on goals from Davis and Orianna Eldridge. However, Webber scored three of the final four goals in the first half, and held a 7-6 lead at halftime. 

Ave Maria rallied from a 10-6 deficit in the third quarter, coming after Webber scored the first three goals of the frame. Abigail Seiler started the Gyrene rally with back-to-back goals, while Shaffrey and Emma Baughman scored goals to tie the game at ten. The final goal of the quarter was scored by Eldridge, giving Ave Maria an 11-10 lead at the end of the third. 

In the fourth quarter, Webber scored four unanswered goals to take the lead for good. Four different Warriors found the back of the net during that run, including Natalie Baumgarten, Kaitlyn Patterson, Couch, and Esher. The Gyrenes were able to get back within two on a Baughman goal, but a second fourth quarter goal from Patterson with 1:16 left essentially put the game away.

Shaffrey was the leading scorer for the Gyrenes in the losing effort, logging six points with two goals and four assists. Baughman and Davis both posted hat tricks for Ave Maria, scoring three goals each. Seiler was the AMU leader on the draw, logging 12 draw controls, while Eldridge pulled in six.

Ave Maria's next six games will be out of Mid-South Conference play, a stretch that begins Monday when the Gyrenes travel to the Hawkeye State. The Gyrenes begin their Spring Break trip to the midwest with a game against William Penn University, who are coached by AMU's all-time leading scorer, Katelyn Sherman. Opening draw between AMU and WPU is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local time, 5:00 p.m. eastern.