AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team had no intention of simply backing into their first postseason berth since 2020.

The Gyrenes wanted to do it on their terms. Terms like beating a nationally-ranked opponent for the second time in program history.

Ave Maria did just that Wednesday night, stunning No. 17 St. Thomas with a 3-0 victory at Gyrene Field. The Gyrenes had already clinched a postseason berth earlier in the day, but made the acheivement sweeter with the program's second win over a nationally-ranked opponent. The first came more than two years ago, when AMU knocked off No. 5 Southeastern by a 2-0 score in Lakeland in 2021.

Neither team broke through in the first 45 minutes of play, sending the match to halftime scoreless. The first of Ave Maria's goals came six minutes into the second half. Libby Brooks launched a pass towards the goal box, a pass that glanced off the head of Veronica Rodriguez and landed on the feet of Rachel Dalton. Dalton then slid past the goalkeeper and finished for her fourth goal of the season, giving AMU a 1-0 lead.

Just under 20 minutes later, Dalton's younger sister got in on the action. A long pass from Emma Schweitzer on a goal kick found Madelyn Krause, who then passed the ball to Catherine Dalton. Dalton dribbled once, then launched a shot from more than 30 yards out that sailed over the head of the goalkeeper. Dalton's missile of the goal seemed to be all AMU needed, as the Gyrenes now led 2-0.

But the Gyrenes weren't done. In the 81st minute, Rachel Dalton nearly added her second goal of the match, crossing a shot that was barely saved by the STU goalkeeper. However, Rodriguez was right there to pounce on the rebound, scoring from point blank range to give Ave Maria a 3-0 lead that would prove to be the final score.

The assist was the 12th of Rachel Dalton's career, setting a new AMU career record. Dalton breaks the program record previously held by Anne Bateman, who logged eleven assists between 2013 and 2015. Dalton is one of just three players in program history with ten or more assists, joining Bateman and her older sister Emily.

On the defensive end of the field, Emma Schweitzer continued to make her case for Sun Conference Freshman of the Year, posting her fourth shutout of the season. Schweitzer stopped all seven shots that came her way, running her total to 97 on the season and dropping her goals against average to 1.26.

Ave Maria's seeding in The Sun Conference Tournament will be dependent on their result Saturday in Babson Park against Webber International, a match scheduled for 3:30 p.m on the WIU campus. A win by the Gyrenes or a draw would place Ave Maria fifth in the standings, while a Webber win would drop the Gyrenes to sixth. AMU will face either Keiser or St. Thomas in the opening round, scheduled for next Saturday.