SOMERS, Wisc. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team was picked in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll to dethrone defending league champion Wisconsin-Parkside.

The 14th-ranked and undefeated Knights took another step in that direction on Friday as freshman midfielder Jordan Chlewbowy scored her first collegiate goal in a 1-0 victory over the Rangers at Wood Road Soccer Field.

"It was another good road win and solid effort from the girls," BU Coach Chris Tinius said. "It was far from a perfect day, but there were a lot of things I really like about this win compared to some others."

With the victory, Bellarmine (11-0-1, 8-0-1 GLVC) ran its unbeaten streak to 12, which ties the program record set last season. The Knights, who are the national leader in goals-against average, recorded their seventh straight shutout and 11th in 12 matches.

Freshman midfielder Erika Laws tallied her first collegiate assist as Bellarmine edged the 2014 GLVC Tournament and regular season champion Rangers (3-7-1, 2-6-1), who were the aggressor in the first half.

"As a team, I didn't think we were ready to play at the beginning of the game but were able to pull ourselves out of it," Tinius said. "There were some individuals that didn't have a great first half and bounced back to play tremendously well in the second half."

Both teams totaled eight shots on goal — Bellarmine held a 13-12 overall advantage — but the Knights managed to find the net on one occasion. Laws spotted Chlebowy, who attempted a shot from a difficult angle in the right side of the box. The freshman's attempt was precise, clearing Rangers goalkeeper Sarah Dobrowolski and sailing into the far corner of the net.

"We had some players that maybe haven't gotten as many minutes really make the most of their opportunity, none more so than Chewy with that goal," Tinius said. "There are a lot of ways to win games, but those are the characteristics that show the toughness needed to contend for a championship."

Bellarmine sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Smith racked up eight saves, including one with nine seconds remaining on a free kick by Lauren Bialas from 20 yards out. It was the third save in the final 10 minutes for Smith, who registered her sixth shutout and maintained her perfect goals-against average.

"Our individual defending was a little suspect today," Tinius said. "Part of that was due to a lack of focus, but a lot had to do with some of Parkside's individual attacking talent. We dodged the bullets when we made mistakes, and we came out of here with another W."

Bellarmine plays at 1 p.m. (ET) on Sunday at Lewis.

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