AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria University Women's Soccer Team opened their 2025 season at home Saturday night, falling to the Florida Memorial Lions 1-0. The Gyrenes tripled the amount of shots Florida Memorial took, but none could find the back of the net as AMU got shutout.

Shots were few and far between in the first half with Florida Memorial taking one and Ave Maria taking three. Only one of the Gyrenes' shots was directed on goal, forcing the Florida Memorial goalkeeper to make a save.

Just 57 seconds into the second half, Florida Memorial scored what ended up being the deciding goal, launching a shot 25 yards away from the goal into the top left corner.

Having scored their lone goal, the Lions focused on defense as the Gyrenes controlled the ball for most of the second half. Ave Maria sent a barrage of shots the Lions' way, taking nine in total in the half. Most of them were wide, but the Gyrenes did manage two shots on goal. The first came from Claire Wrobleski in the 73^rd minute and the second was off the boot of Cate Cox in the 81^st minute. However, both were saved.

Ave Maria's best chance to tie the game came with six minutes left on the clock. Following a Florida Memorial foul, Cox took a free kick 36 yards away from the goal. The shot had a nice arc on it and looked like it had a chance to go in but clanked off the crossbar. The rebound bounced inside the box and a few Gyrenes got to it in time but did not have a clear look at the goal to try for a second-chance strike.

The Gyrenes had one last chance to tie the game in the final minute of the match. Yet another Florida Memorial foul led to an Ave Maria free kick, this time much closer to the goal, but on the left side of the field. Cox crossed the ball into the box and it landed at the feet of Catherine Dalton. She launched a shot, but it deflected off a Lion and twisted right. Ave Maria had just a few seconds left to get a corner kick into play, but FMU cleared the ball to end the game.

With the loss, Ave Maria starts 2025 with a 0-1 record. The Gyrenes finished the game with 12 shots to Florida Memorial's three.

The Gyrenes are back in action on Tuesday, August 26, as the Florida College Falcons come to town. It is the second game of a soccer doubleheader, with the men's teams playing each other as well before the women. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.