Nease alum Anna Fifield 1G

via Ave Maria press release/website

BOX SCORE

Lacrosse Gets First Win in Dominant Fashion

AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University lacrosse team earned their first win of the 2024 season in dominant fashion Monday evening at Gyrene Field, cruising to a 22-5 victory over the Barons of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The Gyrenes were in control from the opening minute of the contest, and remained unbeaten all-time (3-0) against the NCAA Division III Barons.

Alexandra Mazurczak scored twice in the first minute of the contest, and the Gyrenes were well on their way to a victory. Each of the first nine goals of the match were scored by Gyrenes, all of which came in the first quarter. Mazurczak, Orianna Eldridge, and Hannah Shaffrey all scored twice in the opening 15 minutes, with Shaffrey also assisting on a pair of goals. The Gyrenes never went longer than four minutes in scoring en route to a 9-0 lead after one period.

Franciscan got their first goal of the match 1:03 into the second quarter, but Ave Maria regained control from there. The Gyrenes scored three more goals in the next 2:42 to enact the running clock, building their lead to 12-1. The Ave Maria lead would grow to 15-1 by the end of the quarter before a Franciscan goal in the final minute of the half accounted for Ave Maria’s halftime lead of 15-2.

With the clock moving for the entirety of the second half, Ave Maria’s scoring pace slowed, with just four goals between the teams scored in the third quarter. Both of those AMU goals came from Seiler, who scored on a man advantage with 12:46 to play before scoring again at the 5:01 mark. Franciscan responded with goals at the 3:21 and 0:56 marks, sending AMU to the fourth quarter with a 17-4 lead.

Ave Maria picked up the pace in the fourth quarter, scoring five times in the final 15 minutes. The final Ave Maria goal, which made the score 22-4, came from Samantha Freeze, and allowed the Gyrenes to earn a share of program history. The 22 goals scored by the Gyrenes Monday night tied a program record, originally set last season in AMU’s victory over St. Thomas.

Shaffrey, Eldridge, and Seiler all scored four goals in the victory, with Eldridge adding three assists to finish with a game-high seven points. Led by her two goals in the first minute, Mazurczak also finished with a hat trick. Eldridge, who became the program’s all-time leader in caused turnovers, led the defensive effort as well with four ground balls and three caused turnovers. In goal, Emily Durr and Hannah McConologue combined for four saves.

Ave Maria’s next game is one that has become a rivalry over the years, as the Gyrenes host the Tigers of Georgetown College. Dating back to the 2017 season, five of the last seven meetings between the teams have been decided by one goal. The most recent meeting came in the 2022 Mid-South Conference Tournament, where AMU picked up their first win ever over the Tigers, 14-13. Opening draw of the newest edition of the rivalry is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.