HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – The Ave Maria Women's Soccer team pushed the third seeded SCAD Bees into a double overtime battle in the SUN Conference Quarterfinal match on Wednesday evening, ultimately falling 1-0 in the 104^thminute to conclude their 2025 season.

From the outset, the Gyrenes took on a strong and defensive tone, maintaining shape behind the ball and limiting SCAD's opportunities to dangerous areas. Ave Maria's entire back line remained disciplined and compact, stepping into passing lanes, disrupting the Bees' momentum, and preventing the clean looks at goal.

At the center of the defensive effort was junior Emma Schweitzer, who turned in one of the most notable performances of the season. Schweitzer recorded a career-high 16 total saves, controlling the penalty area, reacting defensively to shots through traffic, and keeping Ave Maria level as SCAD generated sustained pressure with 37 total shots. 

Her presence gave the Gyrenes stability throughout the match. The Bees had multiple prime tries at goal, especially from Ida Akesson and Aleca Garcia Velaza, all of which Schweitzer punched away or corralled in.

Offensively, Ave produced pockets of momentum through well-timed transitions and fast, gritty attacks. Junior Catherine Dalton and senior Veronica Rodriguez worked to stretch the Bees' back line, while the midfield connected passes through and around SCAD players, moving the Gyrenes quickly toward goal. 

Ave Maria generated many quality opportunities and forced the Bees to defend deeper at key points in the run of play. Despite a few breakaways, the Gyrenes were also kept scoreless by SCAD keeper Saga Bryntesson.

After 90 minutes of fruitless regulation, tension began to rise even more as the match proceeded into overtime, marking Ave Maria's first overtime contest since 2021. Yet another 10 minutes flew by with both Gyrenes and Bees neck and neck, refusing to let up. The suspenseful match soon turned to double overtime, marking the first occurrence for the Gyrenes also since 2021. Both sides continued to battle as Ave made several key stops, as did SCAD, with penalty kicks looming if there was no result. 

The decisive moment came in the 104^th minute of double overtime when SCAD's Ida Akesson found space outside the box and saw the opportunity for a well-placed long shot, that snuck in over Schweitzer. 

With the result, the Gyrenes close the 2025 season a 5-8-5 overall and 1-3-4 in conference play. It is the second year in a row Ave Maria's postseason has ended in Hardeeville, having lost to the Bees in the Semifinal last season.

"Ave brought it today," said SCAD head coach Rachel Gunn. "They really made us work for that one. They really were a threat." Even in defeat, the Gyrenes demonstrated an amazing competitive edge and toughness, giving everything for their team and leaving it on the field.