NAPERVILLE, Wis. — The Saint Mary's University women's soccer team pushed its season-opening winning streak to four games on Saturday — but, like the three previous games, it was anything but easy.

Nadia Effendi (St. Paul, Minn.) netted her first collegiate goal with 32 minutes remaining in regulation to life the Cardinals to a 1-0 victory over North Central.

"To be 4-0 is wonderful – our start has so far exceeded even my expectations," said SMU coach Tony Guinn. "But it also hasn't been easy. When you take a look at our schedule, sure we're 4-0, but three of those games have been decided by one goal.

"We've done a good job of making the most of our opportunities."

And once the Cardinals get on the board, SMU goalkeeper Jennifer Johnson does the rest.

Johnson stopped all five shots she faced vs. North Central in recording her third shutout of the season. Johnson has faced 20 shots this season, allowing just a first-half goal to Marian in posting a .950 save percentage.

"Defensively, we've played very well," understated Guinn. "It's not just Jennifer, either – we are getting great play from all our defenders."

Not to mention great play for their forwards as well.

Effendi becomes the sixth player to score for the Cardinals, who have netted eight goals during their season-opening run. The SMU freshman netted career goal No. 1 off a rebound, finding the back of the net after Kendra Maloney's (Green Bay, Wis.) shot caromed off the cross bar.

"We've been playing well," said Guinn, whose team is back in action Sunday, traveling to Benedictine, before finally returning home on Tuesday against Hamline. "And hopefully that will continue."