AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Gyrenes dropped a close one to the Keiser Seahawks Saturday night, losing 1-0. The Gyrenes got a couple of chances to tie the game but could not convert.
The field started a little tilted in the Seahawks favor with KU taking the first four shots of the game with two directed on goal. Luckily, senior goal Rhys Lawlor got his hands on the ball both times to come up with the saves.
In the 28th minute however, Keiser broke the scoreless tie with a goal by Mikael Baisotti. The Seahawk caught the Gyrene defense out of position and nailed home a cross from Gabi Villafane.
Lawlor got one more save following the goal to Keiser goal and then the Gyrenes began to pressure on offense, getting one shot on goal that was saved by the KU keeper.
In the second half, the Gyrenes had possession of the ball for the majority of the time and were setting up chances and looks but could not convert on them.
The best chance for the Gyrenes came in the 66th minute when Cade Williams was fouled on his entry into the goal box. Ave Maria was awarded a penalty kick and an opportunity to tie the game at one. Sophomore transfer Jael Parraga stepped up to take the shot for Ave Maria, having made the first and only penalty kick of the season September 2 against Florida National.
On the kick, Parraga had the Keiser goalie, who committed to the right, beat, but popped the ball too high and went over the crossbar. That would be the last shot the Gyrenes got on the night.
Keiser began to play back and disrupted any other opportunity the Gyrenes had. When the final horn sounded, the Seahawks walked away with a narrow one-goal win.
With the loss, the Gyrenes fall to 2-13-1 and 2-10 in conference play. However, their chances of making the conference tournament are still alive with Webber losing to Southeastern earlier in the day. The path is now clear for the Gyrenes on how to make the postseason. Ave Maria needs a tie or better in their Wednesday, October 25, match against St. Thomas and then a win by three or more goals against Webber in the season finale Saturday, October 28. AMU also needs Webber to lose to SCAD on October 25 to force a "winner goes to the playoffs" game in the season finale.
If Ave Maria outright beats St. Thomas on Wednesday, then they would still need a win over Webber in the final game.
Both games will be broadcast on the Sun Digital Network.
