TAMPA, Fla. — The Ave Maria men's ultimate frisbee team showcased their dominance at the University of South Florida Tournament on Saturday, November 2, sweeping through all four games in a series of commanding wins.
 
The Gyrenes started their day at 9 a.m. with a matchup against the University of Florida's A team, the reigning Florida Conference champions for Division 1. Although UF struck first, moving swiftly down the field for an opening score, Ave Maria's offense quickly answered back, evening the score. From there, the Gyrenes' defensive line took charge, breaking UF's offense five times in a row to go into halftime with a 7-2 lead. Despite adjustments by UF in the second half, Ave's momentum was unstoppable, finishing with a decisive 13-6 victory.
 
Next up was USF's team, and Ave's defensive intensity showed no signs of letting up. USF managed an early score, but it didn't take long for Ave to regroup and tie the game. With their defense firing on all cylinders, the Gyrenes broke USF six consecutive times, entering halftime with a commanding 7-1 lead. The Gyrenes kept their foot on the gas, wrapping up the game with a resounding 13-2 win.
 
Ave's third game was a rivalry matchup against the University of Miami, and the Gyrenes' fitness and precision were unmatched. The team raced to a 7-0 halftime lead, keeping Miami's offense off-balance and struggling to advance. By the end, Ave Maria had capped off a 13-1 win, continuing their undefeated streak with relentless energy.
 
In their final game, Ave faced UF's B team, and any potential fatigue was nowhere to be seen. Ave's discipline and conditioning shined as they shut out UF's B team completely, clinching a 13-0 victory. The Gyrenes' defense stood out throughout the tournament, led by playmakers Sam Monastra and Andrew Cooper, who generated crucial turnovers and ensured efficient conversions for scores.
 
After the tournament, Coach Middendorf reflected on the team's performance. "This team put in a lot of work leading up to this tournament. God really blessed us. We played this tournament to honor the memory of Benjamin Cronin and offered our team rosary for the repose of his soul."
 
With their sights set on their next challenge, Ave Maria will head to FGCU to face off against the Eagles on November 9 at 7:00 p.m., hoping to carry this winning momentum forward.