Box Score

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — For the fourth time in nine days, the Crusaders hit the field ready to play.

Showing no sign of fatigue from a busy week or a long road trip to California, the Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team scored a 1-0 victory at Dominican on Saturday, led by Daniele Ortiz in goal and the third goal of the weekend from Nicole Nsa.

"We played much better possession today and worked hard," said NNU head women's soccer coach Mary Trigg, whose team bounced back from a disheartening 3-2 setback on Thursday.

"To play four games as close together as we did, it was impressive to see our high work rate and grit."

NNU (2-2) opened its season a week ago Friday going to overtime against 10-time NCAA National Tournament team, Regis, before topping San Francisco State on Monday, then hitting the road for games Thursday and Saturday against Holy Names and Dominican.

Nsa scored twice on Thursday against the Hawks, but it just wasn't quite enough in a close setback.

Her third goal of the weekend with 24 minutes, 52 remaining in Saturday's game with the Penguins (0-2-1) proved to be the winner, though, as Ortiz made eight saves in goal to earn her second shutout of the season for NNU.

Nsa's winner came off a Lexi Fesenbek assist as she fed a ball from the top of the box to Nsa on the left, who beat Dominican's goalie Gabriella Tassano for all the game's offense.

The Crusaders now get a few days off to rest and prepare for their next game, which will be Thursday on the road at Rocky Mountain College before NNU opens league play at Montana State Billings next Saturday.