AVE MARIA, Fla. — Florida Poly men's soccer controlled much of the attacking play and produced 19 shots Saturday afternoon, but the Phoenix were unable to turn their opportunities into goals in a 2-0 road loss to Ave Maria at Gyrene Field. The setback moved Florida Poly to 4-2-0 on the season, while Ave Maria improved to 6-2.
Florida Poly established itself on the front foot early, recording the first four shots of the match. Tarquin Adams forced Ave Maria goalkeeper Noah Balyeat into a save in the eighth minute before Johnathan Brangman had an attempt stopped by a defensive save less than two minutes later. Jude Mason followed with another shot on goal in the 14th minute as the Phoenix continued to pressure the Gyrenes. Florida Poly also generated four corner kicks during the opening 27 minutes while keeping Ave Maria without a corner throughout the first half.
Despite Florida Poly's pressure, Ave Maria struck first against the run of play in the 35th minute. Sava Cadjenovic found the breakthrough at 34:47 to put the Gyrenes ahead 1-0. The Phoenix continued searching for an equalizer before halftime, with Adrien Arteaga forcing another Balyeat save and Arthur Veiga putting an attempt on frame in the 41st minute. Florida Poly finished the opening half with a 7-3 advantage in shots and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks but entered the break trailing by one.
The Phoenix increased their offensive pressure after halftime. Mason put an attempt on goal less than a minute into the second period, while Adams, Arteaga and others continued creating opportunities around the Ave Maria penalty area. Florida Poly earned three more corners during the opening 17 minutes of the half, but the Gyrenes doubled their advantage at 64:25 when Mateo Rolon converted a penalty kick to make it 2-0.
Florida Poly responded to the second goal with one of its strongest attacking stretches of the match. Julian Villegas and Jaydon Sparkman each forced saves less than two minutes after the penalty, Adams produced two more attempts, and Veiga put another shot on target in the 69th minute. Antoine Hope later tested Balyeat in the 78th minute, while Adams continued to create problems for the Ave Maria defense into the closing minutes. His final shot on goal came in the 87th minute, but Balyeat made another stop to preserve the shutout.
The Phoenix finished with decisive advantages of 19-9 in total shots, 12-5 in shots on goal and 9-1 in corner kicks. Adams led all Florida Poly players with eight shots, including three on target. Veiga and Mason each finished with two shots on goal, while Arteaga recorded two attempts with one on frame. Brangman, Sparkman and Hope also registered shots on goal. Andres Villegas played the full 90 minutes in goal for Florida Poly and recorded two individual saves, with the Phoenix also credited with a team save. Ave Maria goalkeeper Noah Balyeat finished with 11 saves as the Phoenix repeatedly tested the Gyrenes despite being held off the scoreboard.
