ARLINGTON, Va. — An all-around solid performance on both ends of the field pushed the Marymount (Va.) University men's soccer team past Shenandoah University, 1-0, on Wednesday night at Long Bridge Park. 

The Saints offense got off to an impressive start, firing off two shots in the first 10 minutes of play. The Hornets answered with a shot of their own, but Marymount's defense blocked the attempt to keep freshman John Valcicak from having much work to do between the pipes. 

Minutes later, the Saints broke the silence with a goal that would hold out to be the game winner for the game. Following a foul deep in Hornets' territory, freshman Michael Ku-Dipietro cued up on the left side for the free kick for the Saints. Sending in a lined cross into the 18-yard box, the ball made it to the back post where it met the head of diving sophomore Rodney Ngoh for the quick redirection and the 1-0 advantage. 

MU kept up the intensity up on the offensive end, registering four more shots on goal before the first half closed out. A strong defensive effort by the Saints kept the Hornets scoreless, stopping their four attempts in the half. 

Nothing would change for the Saints in the second half, remaining strong on the backline off great performance from sophomores Jesse Parada, Jose Ormeno and Tommy Orozco, senior Stefano Agostini, and junior Nick Hars. As a unit, the backline gave up just one shot by the Hornets in the second half, a shot that didn't even make it on target. 

For the match, the Saints held Shenandoah to just five attempts, one on target which Valcicak had no issue pulling in for his lone save in route to his second-straight win in the net and first collegiate shutout. 

The men are back in action on Sunday as they continue their six-game home stand against Methodist University on Sunday, September 18. First touch is set for 1 p.m., at Long Bridge Park.