The Ave Maria University Men's Soccer team defeated the visiting Johnson and Wales University in an overtime battle Saturday night. AMU improved their record to 6-8 overall and 3-7 in The Sun Conference while Johnson and Wales slipped to 2-14 overall and 2-7 in conference play. The Gyrenes will play their last official home game of the season on Wednesday as they take on Webber International University at 7 p.m.

It was a perfect day for a soccer game Saturday. The Gyrenes weren't perfect, but their persistence paid off as they walked away with a 2-1 win over fellow Sun Conference newcomer, Johnson and Wales University.

The Gyrenes have faced an enormous amount of adversity this year, and Saturday was no exception. Freshman, Beker Escalante, normally a mid defender, played goalkeeper for his first time ever. The match was close in shot attempts as Johnson and Wales had 19 and AMU had 24. Escalante was responsible for 9 saves, and allowed just one goal in 19 Johnson and Wales shot attempts.

Fourteen minutes into the first period Johnson and Wales struck first with a goal by #11 Jarad Johnson. AMU answered at the 30th minute on a goal by Christian Paz who has a team leading 11 goals on the season. Alberto Catullo had the assist for his 2nd of the season. The goal by Paz tied the game at 1-1 going into the 2nd period.

Both teams defended well in the 2nd period. No one was able to score as the game intensified. Three Johnson and Wales players received yellow cards in the half while AMU defender Jeromy Keen also collected a yellow. Then, with 2 minutes left in the 2nd period, things looked grim for the Gyrenes as Johnson and Wales set up a penalty kick to attempt to break the 1-1 tie. #9 Michael Buse kicked the penalty shot for Johnson and Wales, and it was stopped by Escalante forcing overtime. In overtime, Christian Paz assisted Sergio Ramirez for his 6th assist on the year, and the goal by Ramirez (his 2nd on the year) put the Gyrenes on top for good at 2-1.

- Eddie Anderson SID