Ave Maria, FL - The Webber Warriors fall to the Ave Maria Gyrenes in a tough defensive battle. Trent Grotjan got the start for the Warriors, while Jaren Muse and Matthew Smiciklas led the defense with six and seven tackles respectively. 

The game started with a 35-yard kick off by freshman kicker, Zachary Van Fleet. After a 62-yard drive, the Gyrenes opened up with a field goal to make it 3-0. The Warriors responded with a quick punt which allowed Ave María to score a touchdown, extending the lead by 7. The first quarter ended with a field goal by the Gyrenes to make the score 13-0. 

The second quarter began in a similar fashion with the Gyrenes collecting three more points off a 37-yard field goal. A Tyler Powell pass break up forced the Gyrenes to punt, giving the Warriors the ball at their own 10 yard line. A 17-yard rush by Derick Mincey gave the Warriors the first down, before Reagan Harrell sent a 34-yarder to the Ave María 37. The Gyrenes made it back to the Warriors 23 yard line, before missing a field goal, giving Webber the ball with just under two minutes to play. A pass interference call on the Gyrenes gave the Warriors a free first down. The Warriors were pushed back to their own 34 yard line after a sack. Grotjan connected with DJ Cloud for 12 yards, before the end of the half. 

Webber started the second half with the ball at the 37 yard line. Grotjan opened with an 18-yard rush to the Ave María 45. Antonio Dawson grabbed three more yards before a pick-six by the Gyrenes to extend the lead. The third quarter would end without any more scores from either side. 

A one-yard rushing touchdown by Mincey put the Warriors on the board early into the final quarter. Kervens Saint Juste kept the Gyrenes from scoring as he grabbed an interception in the end zone to earn a touchback. A Webber turnover would then give the Gyrenes the ball back, before Joshua Jones blocked the field goal attempt by Ave María. The Gyrenes were able to grab one more touchdown before the end of the quarter. The game ended with Blake Bircher in at Quarterback, going 4/9 and collecting 62 yards. 

The Warriors will be back in action next week as they head to Miami Gardens to take on the Lions of Florida Memorial. 

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Warrior Athletics. Please visit www.webberathletics.com. Follow us on Twitter- @WebberAthletics, Instagram- @Webber_Athletics, and Facebook by searching Webber International University Athletics