NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team picked right up where it left off last year – winning and not allowing goals.

The Nighthawks opened the 2018 season with a 1-0 victory against Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday at NNU Field.

A season ago, NNU set the records for most shutouts in a single season in program history with nine. This season, the Nighthawks have a freshman starting on defense, a new goalie and a player who switched positions.

It didn't matter, though, as the Nighthawks pitched the shutout.

"We knew our goal as defense was to try to break records again," senior captain Olivia Carter said. "Getting this our first official win, with a shutout on the new turf – you couldn't ask for a better game."

NNU (1-0-0) allowed just one shot on goal and five shots total while consistently shutting down anything the Otters (0-1-0) tried to do to get forward.

"We've been working on our shifting a lot and hard pressure and being gritty for the ball," Carter said. "Just being physical and constantly going at them."

Chandler Kauffman was the freshman making her first start and she was solid throughout. Senior Chloe Sholtz started in goal, making the one save. Jade Zimmer switched from center back to outside back, while Corinnah Schaefer and Olivia Carter are the two defenders back in their original positions.

"We stepped up and played well," NNU assistant coach James Williamson said. "As a group they adjusted well and as the game went on they did a good job dealing with the pressure."

Rikki Myers scored the lone goal in the 11th minute. Myers had a sensational freshman season, tying for the team lead in goals.

The Nighthawks generated lots of pressure Thursday, getting 11 shots on goal but they could never get that second goal.

In the end, though, it didn't matter as the NNU defense was up to the challenge.

"Opening with a win is huge," Williamson said. "After last year breaking records and having as much success as we did, starting this year on the front foot is really good for everybody."

NNU is back in action at 3 p.m. Saturday facing Adams State. Adams State defeated Minnesota Crookston 5-3 earlier Thursday. Crookston will play Monterey Bay at 10 a.m. Saturday.