MILWAUKEE -- The Alverno College women's soccer team dropped its Northern Athletics Conference opener to Concordia University Chicago, 4-1, while battling nagging injuries and a limited bench at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Milwaukee, Wis.

The loss snaps the Inferno's two-game win streak, dropping the squad to 2-3 overall (0-1 NAC), while the Cougars picked up their first win of the season as well as their first NAC win to move to 1-5 (1-2 NAC).

Junior midfielder Alexandria Brenner (West Allis, Wis.) notched Alverno's lone goal just over 30 minutes into the game to answer two Concordia goals.

"I think Alex Brenner played exceptionally well moving the ball through the middle," said Alverno head coach Angela Zuniga-Meyer. "She created a lot of space and scoring opportunities, but unfortunately we were unable to convert on those opportunities up top."

The Cougars would find the back of the net twice more in the half to close out scoring for the game, as the Inferno were able to hold them scoreless in the second half. However, the Inferno's offensive attack fizzled in the second period, as the home team recorded 10 shots on goal for the game to the Cougar's 20.

"I think we cleaned up our defensive game in the second half, but that did not allow us to create any offensive movement," Zuniga-Meyer said. "We needed to have much more effective communication on the field between our offense and defense. There was an overall lack of focus in the first half that caused a few of the goals that could have easily been prevented."

Junior goalkeeper Jess Kramer (Kenosha, Wis.) held her own in the net, tallying 16 saves in 90 minutes between the posts.

Alverno will continue its season with a tough schedule for the next few days, as the squad will face non-conference Northland Baptist Bible College at home on Friday, Sept. 19, before continuing its NAC schedule with Milwaukee School of Engineering on the road on Saturday, Sept. 20.

"We really need to get back to basics and come together as a team with two games coming up in the next three days," Zuniga-Meyer said. "Our team has a lot of work to do tomorrow in practice before those games."

Friday's game time with NBBC is set for 4 p.m. at Alverno, and Saturday's kick-off time with MSOE is slated for 1 p.m. at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis.