NAMPA, Idaho – It took all of preseason and a few regular-season games for the Northwest Nazarene men's soccer defensive unit to click.

But now that they are clicking things are going very well, to say the least.

The Nighthawks earned their third consecutive shutout Friday, defeating the University of Mary 3-0 in nonconference action at NNU Field.

"Compared to the beginning of the season, we have improved all the way," NNU freshman Lorenzo Valentini said. "From week to week we have improved. From with the ball to without the ball, we have continuously improved and I hope it goes on like this."

While the opponents will certainly become more difficult as NNU (4-2 overall) opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Montana State Billings in the first game under the new lights, the team enters conference with plenty of confidence.

"We have confidence in each other and ourselves," NNU's Garrison Lee said. "We trust what Coach Adam (Pearce) is doing and we know how we are going to play and we know it works."

In the Nighthawks' first three regular-season games, they allowed nine goals while going 1-2. Since then, NNU has outscored opponents 7-0 while winning three in a row. The group includes Eduardo Banuelos, Braeden Anderson, Valentini, Lee and goalkeeper Alex Nadermann.

"From the striker to the defender, we were pretty compact and that is why we don't give up as many goals," Valentini said. "As a whole, we defended better. We had situations where we compressed and when we dropped off."

Perhaps the only thing hotter than the defense is forward Jake Levine.

The junior had two goals Friday, giving him five in three games.

His first goal was next level all the way through.

Grant Larson played a beautiful ball down the middle of the field, which Levine played off his chest. After a bounce or two, he hammered it into the net past the goalkeeper in the sixth minute.

He scored his second off a pass by Brandon Parsio in the 55th minute and Cameron Natvig had the final goal off a pass by Aoci Watambela in the 58th minute.

"We are just getting to know each other more and being really clear in our roles," Pearce said. "In training, we are learning more about the players and what we can expect out of them and how we can put them in situations to be successful.

"On defense, we are starting to get some pretty good partnerships and the trust in the team is really high."

The Nighthawks dominated the game in every facet, outshooting Mary 23-11 including 12-1 in shots on goal. The Nighthawks had a 6-5 edge in corner kicks and maintained solid possession throughout the game.

And the defense played spectacular as well.

Both Lee and Anderson looked like NFL wide receivers as they tracked back on balls and headed clearances backward up field. Valentini was not only his usual solid self in the air, utilizing his 6-foot-5 frame, but he also put pressure on the Mary defensive midfield by dribbling deep into the offensive end. And Baneulos played perhaps his most complete match of the season, locking down his side of the field.

"In our system of play, it is a team effort and we are very critical about how we defend and when we defend," Pearce said. "When the guys are all clicking together, it allows the talents of the individuals to be highlighted instead of exposed."