CLINTON, Iowa - It was a long time coming for senior defender Damian Ryan of Davenport.

After the All-MCC selection nearly scored on a header in the Saints' last game against Coe College last week, he was determined to find the net before his career came to a close.

Ryan came through to keep Ashford's unbeaten season alive, converting a running header for the game's lone goal as the Saints (3-0, 0-0 MCC) blanked Cardinal Stritch University, 1-0, in its home opener on Sunday.

After sophomore Nick De Backer was fouled, junior Vedran Ilic of Rockford, Ill., set up Ryan from 40 yards out and he put it through the net for his first goal of the year just over 10 minutes into the first half.

"It was a great pass from Ved because he can put the ball wherever he wants and I was able to read it coming across," Ryan said. "It feels great to get that goal because opportunities might not come along that often."

Ryan was the catalyst behind another strong Saints' defensive effort, leading the back row charge against the Wolves' talented international pool of players. And while winning headers might not show up in the box scores, much like a face-off in hockey, the 6-2 Ryan won just about every ball that was airborne to set the tempo.

"Damian's a freak when the ball is in the air," AU Head Coach Richard Markham said after the game. "I was talking to (AU women's soccer Head Coach Mick) Regan and (CSU forward Ben) Allen is the prototypical English big body in the middle that we had to neutralize. Give credit to (Michael) Handley, (Matt) Escoto, Ryan and Geraldo (Garza) for controlling the tempo late in the second half."

CSU came into Clinton after defeating the MCC's William Penn University on Saturday evening and edged Ashford in last year's meeting, 2-1.

The intensity picked up as the game progressed, with a total of four yellow cards distributed and charged to Ashford. Cardinal Stritch made a late bid to tie with under five minutes to go, but Niklas Dagervic's shot clanged off the crossbar and a follow-up header by Allen was high.

Ilic was turned away on a diving save by Wolves' goalkeeper Max Leblond from a penalty kick attempt.

Junior goalkeeper Nick Roman of Belvidere, Ill., made a season-high five saves to give Markham his third win.

"I thought tonight was a good test against a high-quality team," Markham said. "They liked to put big bodies in the box and play the long ball. We played into their style a little bit, but the end result is key."

Ashford hits the road this week against Trinity Christian College on Wednesday. Game time is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.