SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Freshman Johanna Nilsson (Ulricehamn, Sweden) netted her first collegiate goal in the 71st minute to lead American International College past Mercy College, 1-0, in non-conference women's soccer action this evening from Ronald J. Abdow Field.

The Jackets run their win-streak to five and improve to 8-4 on the year while the Mavericks fall to 5-4-2 with the loss.

After a first-half where the Mavericks controlled possession and had the better of the scoring chances, AIC came out of the break determined and had an early bid to stake a 1-0 lead.

In the 47th minute it was sophomore Linnea Herbertsson who found herself alone on the left side of the box with the ball on her foot, but her bid to pick the near post was stuffed by senior keeper Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y.) to keep the game scoreless.

Then in the 51st minute it was senior Romina Bell (Stockerau, Austria) who nearly headed the ball home off a great insertion by classmate Meimi Tomichika (Toshima-ku, Japan) with senior Alyssa Werbicki (Chicopee, Mass.) shielding the goalie, but Augustine still managed to get the gloves on it and thwart the threat.

The Jackets then broke the scoring drought on a free-kick as Bell blasted one into the center of the box from 50 yards out and Nilsson finished from point-blank range for the 1-0 edge in the 71st minute.

AIC had a near miss to extend their lead and add insurance as junior Brianna Kenney (Longmeadow, Mass.) raced up the right side of the box and found Herbertsson in front, but her shot squeaked just wide right in the 86th minute.

Graduate student Rachel Edgin (Whitesboro, N.Y.) extended her shutout streak to three, sixth on the year, while stopping four shots in the victory. Augustine falls to 3-4-1 on the year after making seven saves in the setback.

The Jackets outshot the visitors 12-9 (8-4 SOG) and also held the 4-2 margin in corner kicks.

AIC remains home as they resume conference play on Wednesday as they welcome the Setters of Pace for a 7 p.m. affair.