LAKELAND, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer team grabbed an early lead Saturday evening in Lakeland, but could not make it hold up in a 3-1 loss to the nationally-ranked Southeastern University Fire. The Gyrenes scored in the ninth minute and led into the 50th, but three goals in the final 40 minutes of the match ensured Southeastern would emerge with the Sun Conference victory.

On the very first shot of the match for either team, the Gyrenes found themselves with a 1-0 lead. In the ninth minute, Anna Bohli took a pass from Rachel Dalton and scored her first career goal to give the Gyrenes the lead. The assist was the third of the season for Dalton, and moved her alone into first place on the AMU roster with nine points.

Ave Maria's lead would last for the remainder of the first half, as well as the first five minutes of the second. Southeastern finally tied the match in the 51st minute, when Madelyn Davidson scored her fourth goal of the season on an assist from Naira Lopez. The score would remain tied for more than 25 minutes, but Southeastern would again find a way to win in the final 15 minutes.

Davidson scored her second goal of the match, and her fifth of the season, in the 77th minute for what would prove to be the game-winning goal. The Fire then added an insurance goal in the 85th minute, as Ariadna Lozano scored on an assist from Karissa King. 

Southeastern held a 22-6 advantage in total shots on Saturday night, including an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. Emma Schweitzer kept the Gyrenes in the match until the closing moments, making eight saves. Offensively, Anna Bohli was responsible for two of Ave Maria's four shots on goal, including her goal in the ninth minute. Dalton and Cate Cox also tested the goalkeeper, while Elizabeth Nowak attempted two shots, both of which were off target.

Next on the schedule for the Gyrenes will be Florida Memorial University in a key Sun Conference contest. A season sweep over the Lions would be a major step for AMU in the Gyrenes' quest to qualify for the Sun Conference Tournament for the first time since 2020. Ave Maria will host the Lions Wednesday night at Gyrene Field, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.