MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's soccer managed just one goal on 20 shots Saturday, but it proved to be enough in a 1-0 victory over the Lions of Florida Memorial University at Dr. Lester Brown Park in Miami Gardens. Veronica Rodriguez found the back of the net in the 28th minute to give the Gyrenes the lead, and freshman Emma Schweitzer posted a clean sheet to ensure three points for Ave Maria.

The Gyrenes put eleven shots up during the opening 45 minutes, but it was the one from Veronica Rodriguez that proved to be the difference in the contest. The sophomore transfer from Colorado scored her second goal of the season in the 28th minute, putting up an unassisted tally that put AMU up 1-0. Rodriguez has been Ave Maria's most active attacker through the first five matches of the season, putting up ten shots on goal.

Ave Maria kept up the offensive pressure in the second half, attempting nine shots and putting seven of those shots on target. The Gyrenes couldn't find the back of the net in the second half, but the defense held up their end of the bargain. All six Florida Memorial shots on goal were turned away, and the Gyrenes allowed the clock to run out with the score still 1-0, putting three points in the conference standings for AMU.

Freshman goalkeeper Emma Schweitzer was the standout of the day for the Gyrenes. In just her fifth career start, the Lutz, Florida native posted a ten-save shutout, turning away four Florida Memorial shots in the first half and six more in the second half. In the first two conference matches of the season, Schweitzer made 15 saves and allowed just one goal to nationally ranked Southeastern. 

As a team, the Gyrenes racked up 20 total shots, including 15 attempts on goal. Madelyn Krause led the Gyrenes in total shots with six, while Krause and Catherine Dalton both had four shots on goal. Rodriguez and Cate Cox also added multiple shots as well. Three Gyrenes did not come off the field in the win, as Rachel Dalton, Haley Iacona, and Elizabeth Nowak played all 90 minutes for Ave Maria.

AMU now holds a 1-1-0 conference record on the season, with two more games on the docket for next week. The 3-1-1 Gyrenes will be at home Wednesday night, welcoming the Warriors of Webber International University to town for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. From there, Ave Maria will make their lone trip to Georgia, taking on the Bees of SCAD-Savannah Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.