WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team could not earn a second result of the season against nationally-ranked Keiser, falling 2-0 to the Seahawks Saturday morning in West Palm Beach. It wasn't all bad news Saturday for the Gyrenes, who may well take the field on Wednesday having clinched a spot in The Sun Conference Tournament, thanks to results elsewhere in the league.

For the first 30 minutes of Saturday's match, the Gyrenes held up against the Keiser attack. Finally, Mifumi Sasanuma broke through for her fourth goal of the season, scoring in the 33rd minute on an assist from Emily Payne. Keiser added another goal just over two minutes later, when Sofie Sorum headed in a goal on a pass from Georgia Little, making it 2-0 Seahawks in the 35th minute.

The Gyrene defense would stiffen in the second half, as the Seahawks were kept off the board for the final 65 minutes. Keiser managed just three shots on goal in the second half, all of which were turned away by goalkeeper Emma Schweitzer. AMU took two shots on goal themselves, but Keiser handled both to conclude the contest with the 2-0 score intact.

Keiser outshot the Gyrenes by a 25-5 margin, although 60 percent (15) of those shots were off target. The Seahawks were constantly on the attack, attempting nine corner kicks to just two for the Gyrenes. Haley Iacona attempted two of Ave Maria's three shots on goal, with fellow senior Lauren Brooks responsible for the other.

Despite the loss, the Gyrenes did get some good news on Saturday, as both Warner and Webber suffered defeats in Sun Conference play. Warner's loss to St. Thomas moved the Gyrenes one match away from clinching a postseason berth, as a Warner loss to Keiser Saturday afternoon - before the Gyrenes take the field - would ensure a postseason berth. Webber's loss also kept the Gyrenes in control of their own destiny for the fifth seed in The Sun Conference Tournament.

Regardless of the outcome of the Warner match, the Gyrenes can take care of business themselves Wednesday night in the home finale. Ave Maria will welcome the Bobcats of St. Thomas University, who are ranked 18th in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll. Kickoff between the Gyrenes and the Bobcats is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with a win likely guaranteeing the Gyrenes a top five finish in The Sun Conference.