MILWAUKEE -- Host Alverno College played visiting Aurora University tough for over 60 minutes of play, but lost to the Spartans 5-0 this afternoon at Alverno Field in the Inferno's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener.

The Spartans, ranked 16th in the D3soccer.com poll and 23rd in the coaches' poll, broke a scoreless tie in the 23rd minute as Nicci Bermudes fired a shot past goalkeeper Samantha Robinson, who tallied a season-high nine saves in the loss.

The Inferno (4-2-0, 0-1-0 NACC) defense held off the Spartans (6-1-0, 2-0-0) for the remainder of the first half, and trailed just 1-0 at intermission.

For over 20 minutes of the second half the Alverno defense hung tough, but Bermudes netted her second score of the game in the 68th minute, and the Spartans followed with goals in the 71st, 74th and 77th minutes, aided by their deep and talented bench.

Alverno has a week off before it heads up to Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 28, for a 3:30 p.m. NACC match.