MILWAUKEE -- The Alverno College women's soccer team dropped to 0-3 in the Northern Athletics Conference with a 7-0 loss to Benedictine University at home on Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Inferno (2-6 overall) were able to hang with Benedictine for the majority of the first half, but the Eagles opened the scoring floodgates in the 24th minute, then went on to notch three more before the half to take a 4-0 lead.

"It was a very physical game that took its toll on our team," said Alverno head coach Angela Zuniga-Meyer. "We also lost Joslyn Binkowski pretty early in the first half, which created a big gap in our defensive line. That allowed for a lot of shots to be had that generally would have been cleared out."

Binkowski, a junior defender from Greenfield, Wis., would re-enter the game in the second half, but the Inferno were still frustrated on the attacking end, mostly due to the diving acrobatics of the Eagles' goalkeeper, Ashley Nielsen, who finished the game with 12 saves for the shutout.

"Their keeper was phenomenal," Zuniga-Meyer said. "She really prevented us from making the game close because she was very strong in the net. She blocked everything we put at her. That changed our attitude because we weren't able to put points on the board."

Benedictine closed out scoring for the game with three second half goals to seal its first victory of the season.

Although the game marks the fourth-straight loss for the Inferno, Zuniga-Meyer was encouraged by the development she saw on the field against the Eagles.

"I thought the team made an improvement today that was quite noticeable compared to the last two games," Zuniga-Meyer said. "But, with our small roster size, once we have an injury or two we tend to lose focus."

Alverno will look to scratch a mark in the win column on Saturday, Sept. 27, as the Inferno continue their NAC schedule with Maranatha Baptist Bible College, who was on a three-game win streak prior to today's round of NAC contests. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Alverno.