PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore Dana Giordano scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season and classmate Amy Grant recorded her third shutout of the season as the La Salle University Women's Soccer team defeated St. Bonaventure, 1-0, in Atlantic 10 Conference action Friday night at McCarthy Stadium.

The victory improves La Salle to 4-1 in the conference, which is its best start in school history. Two previous squads (2001 and 2002) started the A-10 slate 3-1, but failed to win their fifth contest.

In the 25th minute, Giordano took a pass from junior Kristin Hextall and beat the Bonnies' goalkeeper for the only tally of the game. It was Giordano's second game-winner of the season, while Hextall registered her fifth assist of the season. Starting the play was junior Kim Lisun, who recorded her team-high sixth assist, and the 12th of her career, putting her in a tie for sixth on the all-time career list.

St. Bonaventure (1-11-1, 0-4-0 A-10) managed just three shots on goal, but stayed in the game thanks to the goaltending of Lisa Eberhart, who made five saves while facing 15 Explorer shots.

On several occasions, La Salle had a chance to put in an insurance goal or two, but one shot hit the crossbar and two other times headers sailed just wide. The Explorers also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Grant was the beneficiary of some great defense, as she only needed to make one save while picking up her fifth win of the season. She also lowered her season goals against average to 0.62, and team's is now under 1.00 per game.

La Salle (7-7-0, 4-1-0 A-10) is also 6-2 at home this season, which is more wins than the last three years combined. The 2001 and 2002 squads each won seven at home, while the 2000 team went a best 8-1 at McCarthy Stadium.

The Explorers will try to get their seventh win at home, continue their impressive A-10 start, and match the school's record for consecutive wins (5), when they host Fordham at 1 PM, Sunday, which is also Senior Day.