via Ave Maria press release/website

BOX SCORE

AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team earned their third win over a top 15 opponent this season, rolling past the Bees of Saint Ambrose University, 21-11, Monday evening at Gyrene Field. The Gyrenes never trailed in the win over the Bees, who were receiving votes in the newest edition of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, and scored 20 goals for a second consecutive game, a first in program history. 

Ave Maria started extremely fast on Monday, scoring three goals before Saint Ambrose had ever possessed the ball and four before the Bees attempted a shot. In total, Ave Maria racked up eight goals in the first 15 minutes of the match, racing out to an 8-0 lead before the Bees scored their first goal of the day with just over a minute to play in the quarter.

The Gyrenes’ torrid place slowed in the second quarter, but AMU did not relinquish control of the game. The Bees scored four of the first six goals in the second period, cutting AMU’s lead down to five goals at 10-5. Ave Maria’s response came in the form of two goals in 22 seconds, with Hannah Shaffrey providing both scores. That surge pushed the Ave Maria lead to 12-5, which would prove to be the halftime score.

Saint Ambrose would again try to sneak their way back into the game, scoring three of the first five goals in the second half to trim AMU’s lead to 14-8 with 6:12 remaining. Once again, Ave Maria stymied the comeback attempt from the Bees with a run of their own, scoring five of the next six goals in a run that would extend into the fourth quarter and extend AMU’s lead to ten.

After enacting the running clock with six and a half minutes to play in the game, the Bees and Gyrenes would trade goals in the final moments. Monrae Prentice pushed AMU’s lead back to ten with a goal with 4:45 to play, and Abigail Seiler scored on the final free position shot of the evening to account for Ave Maria’s 20th goal. 

Seiler earned her way into the Ave Maria record books with her performance, tying Hannah Shaffrey’s two-day old record with ten points in a single match. Seiler scored eight goals, second most in a game in AMU history, and assisted on two others. Shaffrey continued her stellar play with four goals and four assists, while Orianna Eldridge scored four times and led AMU’s draw with seven controls.

Peyton Williams and Elie Coyle led the Gyrene defense, with Williams causing five turnovers and Coyle scooping up four ground balls. Emily Durr and Hannah McConologue split duties in goal, with the duo combining for eleven saves.

Thursday’s game for Ave Maria has major Sun Conference implications, as No. 8 Ave Maria hosts No. 10 SCAD at Gyrene Field. A win would give AMU an excellent chance to qualify for The Sun Conference Tournament, while keeping AMU among the top teams in the nation. Opening draw on Thursday is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.