AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Women's Soccer finally played a countable home game at Gyrene Field Saturday evening, playing host to the Florida National Conquistadors. Both defenses turned in a solid performance as the Gyrenes and Conquistadors tied 0-0.
Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Kelly played in her second game and made her first start of the season Saturday and stayed in goal for all 90 minutes. Kelly made two saves, one in each half, to keep the goose egg on the board. Florida National took six shots in total, but the other four where either wide or high of the goal.
On the opposite side of the pitch, the Gyrenes took more than double the amount of shots Florida National took, but they could not find the back of the net. Ave Maria finished the game with 13 shots, three of which were on goal. Ava Conforti and Claire Wrobleski each had a scoring chance in the first half, but both were turned aside by the FNU keeper.
In the second half, the Gyrenes sent a barrage of eight shots in the frame, but only one of the shots registered on goal. That shot was off the boot of Cydnee Butler but again was saved by the goalie.
When the final whistle blew, both teams walked off the turf with a clean sheet in hand but a tie in the record book.
It is the first draw of the season as Ave Maria's record moves to 3-1-1. Last season, the Gyrenes logged five ties, with one being a scoreless tie against Webber October 22. Since 2022, when the NAIA switched from overtime in regular season contests to ending in ties, Ave Maria has now tied in 19 games. That is over a quarter of their matches in last five seasons. Eight of those 19 ties have been scoreless ties.
It is a quick turnaround for the Gyrenes as they are back in action Tuesday, September 22. Ave Maria will remain in the friendly confines of Gyrene Field as they play host to the St. Thomas Bobcats in a Sun Conference preview. It will not count as a conference match, with the two teams slated to meet again in Miami Gardens on October 3 for the conference match. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
