MACON, Ga.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team opened the 2022 season, and the 2022-23 athletic calendar, on the road on Thursday morning, facing a nationally recognized team in the Knights of Middle Georgia State University. The Knights, who start the season in the receiving votes category of the NAIA Coaches' Poll, scored twice in the first half to deal the Gyrenes a 2-0 defeat in the season opener.
After 24 minutes of scoreless play, Middle Georgia started the scoring in the 25th minute. Miagh Downey, the leading scorer from 2021 for the Knights, found the back of the net on assists from Chloe Davies and Louise Rosager, putting MGA up 1-0. The Knights added their second goal just over 15 minutes later, as Tatjana Steinau scored what would prove to be the final goal of the afternoon in the 41st minute.
The Gyrenes managed five shots in their first effort of the season, with three challenging the goalkeeper and all five coming in the first half. The shots on goal were provided by Madelyn Krause, Lilia Linders, and Haley Ewing, with the shots from Linders and Ewing coming in the closing minutes of the frame. AMU also had a good scoring opportunity in the fifth minute, when a shot from Chiara O'Keefe hit the crossbar. The fifth AMU shot was attempted by Marguerite Estes.
Senior goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson did her part to keep the Gyrenes in the game, making eight saves in her 90 minutes in goal. Five of those saves came in the first half, as the Colorado native did all she could to keep Middle Georgia from extending their lead. She then posted a flawless final 45 minutes, stopping all three shots that came her way.
Ave Maria was able to get a glimpse of most of the roster during the season opener, as 22 players checked into the contest at some point. Middle Georgia controlled much of the contest, outshooting the Gyrenes 13-5, including a 10-3 margin in shots on goal. Ave Maria did have their chances, getting three corner kick opportunities to just two for the Knights.
AMU's home schedule is set to begin on Tuesday, when the Gyrenes kick off the school year against The Master's University from California. Kickoff at Gyrene Field for the first of Ave Maria's nine home games this season is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. It will be the first of two games next week for the Gyrenes, who also have a neutral site game in Miami Gardens against Eastern Oregon University scheduled for next Thursday.
