The Buena Vista women's soccer team began Iowa Conference play on Sunday afternoon by hosting the University of Dubuque, but it was the Spartans scoring three times in the first half to hang on and blank the Beavers 3-0.

The Spartans executed a corner kick to perfection to post the first goal of the afternoon late in the 10'.  Lauren Cangelosi struck a perfect ball from the corner and Amanda Chlebek finished things by sending a header past a diving Alexis Burnett right in front of the net.

Dubuque then doubled their lead 12 minutes later on a goal from Shelby Nicholson before tacking on a late first half goal to take a 3-0 cushion into halftime.

The Spartans (5-3-1, 1-0 IIAC) held an 11-3 edge in total shots and an 8-2 margin on-goal.

Both defenses turned it up a gear in the second half with only 10 total shots.  Burnett tallied five saves for the Beavers, who had lost to the Spartans 7-0 over in Dubuque a year ago.

Caroline Maher turned in a pair of shots-on-goal to help lead the Beavers, offensively, as Naomi Wood added the third.

Burnett finished with 10 saves overall.

Buena Vista is now 2-5-1 overall (0-1 IIAC).  The team steps out of conference play briefly by traveling to Martin Luther College on Wednesday, September 28 for a 2:00pm contest.