MURFREESBORO – A week after suffering only their second soccer loss in a month, Chowan University was back Tuesday.

The Hawks played solidly on defense and got another goal from freshman striker Ashley Bradford to defeat Methodist College 1-0.

Chowan’s seventh win this season of the season wasn’t just another victory, however.

“From what I’m told, this is the first time we’ve beaten Methodist,” second-year coach Georgina Donnelly said. “That definitely shows that we’re improving and getting somewhere as a program.”

Chowan freshman keeper Tiffany Lee preserved the shutout victory with eight saves on the afternoon. She got help from defenders Stephanie Montague and Erin Jackson.

“Stephanie was really good yesterday,” Donnelly said, “and Erin also had a solid defensive effort.”

While Bradford has been the team leader in goals and points scored, another freshman has also been a solid offensive threat this season.

That threat has been in the person of Monacan High School graduate Clara Danzeisen. The freshman midfielder had another excellent game Tuesday, according to her coach.

“Clara played well the entire game,” Donnelly said. “She did a very good job.”

The Hawks out shot the Monarchs 17 to 16 in the match, but were at their best in the first half when they had a 10-4 lead in shots. Danzeisen was the leader with seven shots.

“We started off pretty well,” Donnelly said. “We didn’t play as well in the second half, but we had a very good first half.”

The win improved the Hawks, who are the top-ranked team in the South Region of the National Christian College Athletic Association, to 7-4-1.

They hosted Erskine College at 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon in a match that finished too late for press time.