GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Senior Hannah Shaffrey recorded five points Friday afternoon to tie head coach Katelyn Sherman for the most career points in Ave Maria history. The record tying point put a positive spin on the game, which the Gyrenes lost 14-9 to the Marian Knights.
The Knights jumped out to an early lead as they outscored the Gyrenes 6-0 in the first quarter. Ave Maria took six shots in the first quarter to Marian's eight, but while six of the Knights shots went in, four of the six shots from AMU were saved and the other two went wide.
Marian tacked on two more goals to start the second quarter before the Gyrenes finally got on the scoreboard. On a player advantage, Alison Fifield got her first goal of the season on a free position shot.
The Gyrenes scored two more in the quarter, both from Anna Bocchino. The first goal from Bocchino was assisted by Shaffrey for her first point of the game. The second was an unassisted goal.
Marian added one more goal in the second as well and took a 9-3 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was another tough frame for the Gyrenes with Marian scoring four straight goals in the first 10 minutes.
Abbey Seiler scored the only goal of the quarter for the Gyrenes, with another assist from Shaffrey.
Down nine goals going into the fourth quarter, the Gyrenes tried to mount a valiant comeback, and played very well in the final frame, but the deficit ended up being too large. Ave Maria did net five goals, winning their first quarter of the game.
The Gyrenes scored three of their five goals in one minute and nine seconds. Shaffrey opened the scoring with an unassisted goal for her third point of the game. After a Gyrene draw control, Seiler scored her second goal of the game, also unassisted. Claire Ichniowski finished the stretch with her first goal of the game. Shaffrey got the assist on the Ichniowski goal for her fourth point of the game, bringing her with one of the program record.
After a Marian goal bumped the deficit back up to seven, Shaffrey scored her second goal of the night for her fifth and final point of the game. She is now at 168 career points, matching Sherman, who played for the Gyrenes from 2016-19, for the most points in AMU history.
"It's incredible to see [Shaffrey] reach this milestone," said Sherman. "As a coach, you want your players to succeed and watching from the sidelines as her coach tie my record for career points just goes to show the talent of not only her but the whole team. She is surrounded by incredible players. Records are meant to be challenged, and I couldn't be prouder to see it happen to one of my own. It's really a full circle moment."
Annie Dhabliwala scored the final goal of the game for the Gyrenes with under a minute left play, assisted by Ichniowski.
Shaffrey led the team in points Friday with five from two goals and three assists. Three other Gyrenes recorded multi-point games with Ichniowski, Bocchino and Seiler all with two.
With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 0-3 to start the season.
Friday was the start of a five-game stretch away from home for the Gyrenes. They are back in action Sunday, February 23, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, against the Cumberlands Patriots. The Cumberlands are ranked third in the country and are 3-0. The opening draw is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Cumberlands Sports Network. The link can be found on the lacrosse schedule page on www.avemariagyrenes.com.
