Grand Rapids, Mich. — After losing to No.3-ranked Central Methodist last weekend, the No. 9-ranked Aquinas Saints (3-1-0) made their claim to the NAIA that they still belong as one of the top teams in the country with a convincing 3-0 shutout win against #23 Campbellsville (1-1-0) Thursday evening (Sept.1) at the AQ Athletic Field.

The Saints first scoring opportunity came in the 10th minute off a defensive miscue by the Tigers. Junior forward Sydney Shenk intercepted a back pass to the Campbellsville goalkeeper Doeschka Birnage. Shenk couldn't find an angle to get the ball past Birnage, who made one of her six saves.

That didn't discourage Shenk because roughly nine minutes later she found herself on the end of Laia Cunill cross to score not only the first goal of the game, but her first goal of the season.

The Saints went to halftime up 1-0 on the 19th minute conversion.

Aquinas doubled its lead in the 56th minute off a corner kick placed into the mixer by senior forward Hannah Crum. With bodies flying everywhere, senior Merin McDermott forced the issue inside the six-yard box that caused the ball to bounce off a Campbellsville defender and into her own net.

The Saints added one more insurance goal in the 72nd minute on a crossed assist by Katelyn Kahael that escaped Birnage's hands and fell right into the path of senior forward Brittney Carter. It was also Carter's first goal of the season.

AQ outshot the Tigers 19-9 (9-5 shots on target). Saints freshman goalkeeper Kayla Shuk made fours to preserve Aquinas' second shutout win of the year.

Next up is a third straight home game for the Saints as they host Ave Maria (0-2-2) next week Wednesday (Sept. 7) with a rare 11 a.m. kickoff.