Box Score It wasn't pretty, but Colorado College remained undefeated in Conference USA with a 1-0 victory over Marshall University on Sunday afternoon at Stewart Field.

“That was your typical Sunday conference game,” head coach Geoff Bennett said. “We didn't play our best game, but Marshall worked hard. They tried to disrupt us and it was effective during the first half. A lot of times, it's just grinding it out on Sundays. Who's got more heart and who's going to finish their chances?”

Despite a 24-3 advantage in total shots and 14-2 edge in corner kicks, the Tigers didn't get on the scoreboard until sophomore forward Lauren DiGregorio came up big during the 59th minute.

Standing just 5-foot-2, the former high school high jumper rose above the Thundering Herd defense to get a head on sophomore forward Madison Whitehead's direct kick and flick the ball past goalkeeper Betsy Haugh for the second game-winning goal of her career.

“It was a clear shot,” DiGregorio said. “Madison hit a perfect ball into the middle of the box and Marshall was a little slow marking up. It was awesome. Our team needed that. Marshall kept us out of the playoffs last year, so it was a big win for us.”

If it were not for Haugh, Marshall would never have been within striking distance. The first-year keeper made six of her eight saves during the opening 45 minutes when she was under constant pressure.

At the other end of the field, junior goalkeeper Hanna Berglund had to make just two saves while recording her third consecutive shutout. But after seeing little pressure for more than 80 minutes, she had to make a lunging save on Angela DeSumma's shot from the top of the box that was headed for the top left corner with 6:26 remaining in the game.

“That's what we train for,” Berglund said. “You're always on your toes and you're always ready. We stay involved. We talk to our back line constantly. We call it the back five. All five of us are on the same page working together. We're getting more time with each other. We're getting our rhythm, getting our chemistry.”

Berglund and the Colorado College defense have now played 292:26 since allowing a goal at the end of regulation time during the 1-1 tie against Fresno State on Sept. 16. The Tigers posted their fourth shutout this season and lowered their goals-against average to 1.53.

“They've been great,” Bennett said. “They're not giving up shots like they were early in the year. We're not conceding corners and we're making things kind of easy on ourselves. Hopefully that continues, but we know this league is very tough and every team battles and scrapes. We need to be up to the challenge every game.”

CC, which is 4-1-2 in their last seven games, squared its season record at 4-4-2.

Marshall dropped to 2-7-1 overall and 0-2-0 in league play. The Thundering Herd is now 0-3 at Stewart Field and has been outscored 12-0. 

Colorado College, which is tied for first in the C-USA standings with a 2-0 mark, puts its three-game winning streak on the line at Southern Miss next Friday afternoon.