LISLE, Ill. -- The Alverno College women's soccer team defeated host Benedictine University, 1-0, snapping a 20-game losing streak in the Northern Athletics Conference. The Inferno's last NAC victory came on Oct. 10, 2007, nearly two years ago, in a 7-3 victory over Rockford College.

"It was a great team effort overall," Alverno head coach Brittany Oliveira said. "I'm really happy for the players."

Alverno (4-6, 1-3 NAC) scored early in the game as freshman forward Kelsey Kochanowski (Oak Creek, Wis.) scored in the 11th minute. The Inferno, who were outshot 20-3, took advantage of their few offensive attacks and played stellar defense for the team's third shutout of the season, and first in NAC play.

"Both Marissa (Christjohn) and Kelly (Sunstrom) did a great job in the backfield," Oliveira said. "And Kayla (Kennedy) played a great game at goal. All the defenders played well. "

Christjohn (Milwaukee, Wis./Thomas More), Sunstrom (Muskego, Wis./Martin Luther) and Kennedy (Trempealeau, Wis./G-E-T) led the Inferno defense in one of their best performances of the season. The host Eagles (1-8, 1-5) rifled off attack after attack, which included 13 corner kicks, but Kennedy recorded five saves in her first career shutout and victory as goalkeeper.

"They earned it tonight," Oliveira said. "But it's just the beginning. We're capable of winning more games in conference."

The Inferno are now 3-35-1 all-time in the Northern Athletics Conference, with their first two NAC wins over Rockford College, and a tie versus Maranatha Baptist. This was the team's first victory over Benedictine in four tries, including a 7-0 loss last season.

This year's seniors, Ellie LaFond (Waukesha, Wis./West), Jackie Barnes (Germantown, Wis.), Alex Brenner (West Allis, Wis./Nathan Hale) and Joslyn Binkowski (Greenfield, Wis.) showed collective leadership tonight. "The seniors were good motivators," Oliveira said. "They were ready for it and they went out and got it. The four of them deserve this win."

The win puts the team ahead of last season's win total just halfway through the season.

The Inferno are next in action this Saturday as they travel to Watertown, Wis. to take on Maranatha Baptist at 10 a.m.