AVE MARIA, Fla. -- The SEU Men's Soccer team began Sun Conference play with a gritty road victory, defeating Ave Maria 2–1 Wednesday evening at Gyrene Field. The win improved the Fire to 3-3-2 overall and 1-0 in league play.
SEU struck first in the 10th minute through a moment of individual brilliance.
Guilherme Viserta buried a free kick that curved around the defensive wall and tucked inside the left post for the opening goal. The Gyrenes answered less than a minute later as Sava Cadjenovic pulled the match level.
Just before halftime, the Fire regained control from a set piece. Following a corner kick, the ball fell loose in the six-yard box, and after Ave Maria's defense was unable to clear it off the line,
Adam Cooil pounced to push SEU back in front 2–1 in the 45th minute.
That lead held firm through the second half as Southeastern absorbed pressure from an Ave Maria side that fired 22 total shots, including 15 after the break. Goalkeeper
Noah Murray-Hawkins stood tall, finishing with six saves, while the Fire back line cleared multiple dangerous chances, including a late goal-line denial by Cooil to preserve the advantage.
The Fire finished with 17 shots of their own, highlighted by the attacking efforts of Viserta, Cooil, and
Miguel Londono, and matched the Gyrenes with four corners in a physical battle that featured 25 combined fouls.
Southeastern now turns its attention back home, hosting Florida Memorial on Saturday, October 4, at 12:30 p.m. at the SEU Soccer Field in another key Sun Conference matchup.
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