St. Louis – The Maryville women's soccer team used the strength of its defense to earn a 1-0 victory over Illinois Springfield. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Saints.
 
Maryville controlled the tempo in the first half as the Saints outshot the Prairie Stars 4-2, including a Erin Ginsberg strike from 22-yards out that hit the cross-bar and dropped into the hands of UIS goalkeeper Courtney Johnson in the 28th minute.
 
The Saints continued to attack the Prairie Stars defense to start the half and finally broke through in the 53rd minute. Danielle Schmitz scored her first goal of the year off a pass from Nadia Abu-Douleh on the right side of the box to give Maryville a 1-0 lead.
 
The Prairie Stars (4-3-0, 1-3-0 GLVC) did have opportunities in the later parts of the match, but Saints netminder Ali Riddle made on outstanding save in the final minute, to earn her first career shutout.
 
The Saints (2-4-0, 1-3-0 GLVC) return to the pitch this coming Friday, Sept. 23, as GLVC rival William Jewell comes to town. The match will begin at 5 p.m.