MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team jumped out to an early lead Wednesday evening, but could not hold off a nationally-ranked foe in a 3-1 loss to the St. Thomas University Bobcats in Miami Gardens. The Gyrenes played the 17th ranked team in the nation even for nearly 70 minutes, but two goals in the final 21 minutes propelled the Bobcats to the win.

Wednesday's match could not have gotten off to a better start, as the Gyrenes scored on their first shot of the night. In the 13th minute, Rachel Dalton capitalized on a St. Thomas miscue, stealing the ball from a Bobcat defender and launching a rocket into the top right corner of the net. The goal was Dalton's third goal of the season, and moved her into a tie for the team lead in both goals and points.

That lead lasted less than three minutes, as the Bobcats tied the game with a goal in the 15th minute from Cristina Blaya San Pedro, with the assist credited to Claudia Rodriguez. The game remained scoreless for the remainder of the first half, with the teams combining for just three shots on goal in the final 25 minutes.

The game remained scoreless for nearly 25 minutes in the second half, with St. Thomas finally breaking the draw in the 70th minute. Megan Velazquez accounted for the eventual game-winner, scoring with 20:01 on the clock. The Bobcats would also add an insurance goal in the 88th minute, as Gabrielle Cimino scored on an assist from Rodriguez.

Ave Maria hung around for much of Wednesday's game despite being outshot 20-9 by the nationally-ranked Bobcats. St. Thomas also had six corner kick opportunities to just one for the Gyrenes. Dalton, Veronica Rodriguez, and Arianna Sebion Calvesio were AMU's most active attackers, with each playing taking two shots, both of which were on goal.

The Gyrenes complete their first trip through The Sun Conference with a 1-3-3 record, with all three losses coming to nationally-ranked teams. AMU will play one of those three teams on Saturday in Lakeland, when the Gyrenes battle the Fire of Southeastern University. Southeastern won the first meeting between the teams, 1-0, back on September 13, scoring a goal in the final 15 seconds of the match. Kickoff from Lakeland is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.