The Dominican University women's soccer team scored a pair of first half goals and then clamped down defensively, posting a shutout victory, 2-0, over the MSOE Raiders to open Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) action on Saturday afternoon in River Forest, Illinois.
 
"It's huge to start the conference season 1-0," commented Carlos Carrillo, the Stars head women's soccer coach.  "The atmosphere is definitely different—there is a lot on the line.  Every conference match counts."
 
Pamela Ruiz (Dallas, Texas), making her first collegiate start in goal for the Stars, faced 11 shots, making three saves to pick up her first shutout of her career.
 
"Pamela has been coming along in training and making the most of the little minutes she's been getting," said Carrillo.  "She came and showed she wants to be a part of the big game and she did a nice job.  She kept it organized…she was confident…she was vocal…everything you want in a goalkeeper."
 
Taylor Adler (Shorewood, Ill.) picked up the game-winning goal, capitalizing on a penalty in the Raiders' box after MSOE was whistled for a handball in the 21^st minute.
 
Adler then started the action for an insurance marker in the 42^nd minute, playing a ball forward to Kelli Iovino (Arlington Heights, Ill.) who carried the ball before sliding a pass through the Raiders' backline where teammate Lauren Zuro (Elmwood Park, Ill.) was able to get on the end of it and poke a shot inside the far post for her first goal of the season.
 
With the win, Dominican pulls above .500 for the first time on the season at 3-2-0, riding a three-game winning streak.  The Stars return to the pitch on Wednesday, traveling to Dubuque, Iowa, to take on the University of Dubuque Spartans in non-conference action.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.