SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Ave Maria Lacrosse team fell in the Sun Conference Semifinals Friday afternoon to the SCAD Bees 17-8. The Gyrenes only found themselves down two after the first frame, but slow second and third quarters really separated the teams.

SCAD took an early lead in the first quarter scoring three goals in the opening seven minutes.

Lily Hynds scored the first goal of the game for Ave Maria, crashing from the left side of the net and finding the top shelf over the goalie's stick.

Annie Dhabliwala scored just 30 seconds later to bring the Gyrenes back within one goal. The freshman scored her goal on a free position shot after having her stick slashed charging towards the net.

However, that was the closest Ave Maria would get to SCAD for the rest of the game. The Bees scored the next four goals to take a 7-2 lead just five minutes into the second quarter.

Claire Ichniowski scored a goal to break up the streak, but the Bees responded with three more goals to take a 10-3 lead.

Alexandra Mazurczak scored the final goal of the half with just a little over a minute left on the clock and the Gyrenes went into break down six.

In the third quarter, SCAD extended their lead to double digits with four straight goals.

Elizabeth Nowak scored the only goal of the frame for the Gyrenes with just nine seconds left on the clock. Ave Maria was on a fast break just as time was about to expire and the senior slammed home a feed from Alexandra Mazurczak for the score.

Keeping with the trend of the game, the Bees scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, but then the Gyrenes had their biggest run of the match with three straight goals. Abigail Seiler got on the scoresheet for the first time with back-to-back goals. Her first goal was unassisted but the second was a backhanded shot off a pass from Dhabliwala that beat the goalie down low.

Ichniowski scored her second goal of the game to complete the run, receiving a pass from Hannah Shaffrey right in front of the net and slinging it home.

Ave Maria was down just seven with a little under 10 minutes left to play, but only managed one more shot on goal that was saved. On the other end of the field, the Bees scored two more goals to win 17-8.

Dhabliwala, Ichniowski and Seiler all led the team with two points in the game. Ichniowski and Seiler both got their points of goals while Dhabliwala had one goal and one assist.

In the midfield, three Gyrenes tied for the lead with two draw controls. As a team, the Gyrenes were outdrawn 20-9. It is the first time Ave Maria has been outdrawn since their regular season matchup with the Bees. Defensively, five players caused one turnover.

In goal, Emily Durr played all 60 minutes and made 10 stops for a save percentage of .370.

With the loss Ave Maria falls to 8-9 and exits the Sun Conference Tournament with a 1-1 record.

The Gyrenes now await to see if they can clinch an at-large berth into the NAIA National Tournament. Ave Maria was ranked 10^th in the country in the final Top 10 Coaches' Poll that was released Wednesday, April 16. Eight teams make the tournament with four of those spots designated as at-large spots. The selection show is Tuesday, April 22, at 11 a.m.