HARDEVILLE, S.C. — The Ave Maria Women's Soccer team's season came to a close Monday night in the Sun Conference Semifinals against the SCAD Savannah Bees. It was just the second trip in program history to the conference final four and the Gyrenes scored their first ever goal in the round as they lost to the Bees 5-1.

The No. 14 team in the country came out firing against Ave Maria and scored their opening goal in the first ten minutes of the game. SCAD added another goal in the 32nd minute to go up 2-0.

Goalkeeper Schweitzer faced a barrage of shots in the opening frame. SCAD registered 18 shots in the first half, seven of which were on goal. Two went in but the sophomore keeper made five saves to keep the deficit manageable. Five of the 11 shots that weren't on goal were blocked by Gyrene defenders.

On the other end of the pitch, Ave Maria took four shots, only one of which was on goal and saved by the SCAD goalie.

In the second half, the Bees struck early again notching goals in the 50^th and 52^nd minutes.

Things settled down after the fourth goal with Schweitzer making six saves to keep the Bees at four goals. She finished the game with a season-high 12 saves. It is also the first time since September 27, 2023, she has reached double digits.

In the 86^th minute, the Gyrenes got on the board for the first time ever in the Sun Conference Semifinals. All-Conference midfielder Kana Mateaki intercepted a pass at midfield and dribbled all the way to the top of the penalty area. She was forced to the outside by SCAD defenders, but still had enough room to launch a high-arcing shot from the corner of the box. The ball sailed over the goalies fingertips and kissed off the crossbar into the net for the goal.

It is Mateaki's seventh goal of the season and second goal in the postseason. She finishes her NAIA career with 26 goals between Eastern Oregon and Ave Maria. Four of her goals have come in conference championships, including the two this year against St. Thomas and SCAD.

SCAD got the last say as they scored one more goal in the 89^th minute to make it 5-1.

With the loss, Ave Maria finishes the year 7-5-4. With a win percentage of .562, it is their best season since 2021 and the third best season in program history. The Gyrenes also went 3-2-3 in conference play, the first time they have ever finished over .500 in Sun Conference competition.

Mateaki finished with the most points on the team with seven goals and four assists for 18 points. Freshman Claire Wrobleski led the team in goals with eight on the year. All-Conference midfielder Rachel Dalton was third in both goals and points with four and nine, respectively. She finishes her AMU career with the third-most games played, second-most points, second-most goals, second-most game winning goals, and the most shots, shots on goal and assists in program history.

Schweitzer played all 16 games for the Gyrenes and finished with 71 saves. She tied the program record for shutouts in a season with five and brought her career total up to nine. She is three away from having the most career shutouts in Ave Maria history.

The Gyrenes say goodbye 15 seniors and 1 graduate student this year, but the program is in good hands heading into 2025.