The men’s soccer team picked up its second straight win and fourth straight shutout with a 1-0 win over James Madison yesterday morning in the team’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener.

The win was the Huskies’ first in a conference opener since joining the CAA in 2005. They had previously been 0-2-1 in CAA premieres. Junior defenseman and captain Brendan Ennis said it was important to start strong in conference play and not get stuck in a hole early.

“[The win] is huge because the past couple of years in CAA we’ve shot ourselves in the foot by getting behind and dropping the first two or three games and really having to rebound,” he said. “Hopefully this year is starting in the right direction, and we can reverse our role and get up in the games and not have it be do or die later on.”

Northeastern and James Madison were originally scheduled to play Saturday, but due to inclement weather the game was moved to yesterday morning.

The Huskies’ lone goal came in the 11th minute of action off the foot of sophomore forward Nick Lueders. His shot hit the top left corner of the crossbar, but managed to bounce into the net. It was Lueders’ first goal of the season. Ennis had the assist on the play.

Junior keeper Scott Partridge made four saves to record his fourth straight shutout. The Husky defense hasn’t allowed a goal since a Sept. 13 loss to Holy Cross. Ennis said the defense has played a pivotal role in the team’s successes early in the season.

“The defense has been great. Scotty has really taken control back there,” he said. “Everybody’s doing their job. It’s good to see, because that’s how we’re going to win most of our games – in the backfield.”

Senior forward Lewis Ehrlich led the team with five shots. NU also didn’t allow a JMU corner kick all game. The Huskies produced nine.

Northeastern outshot James Madison 12-9 in the contest, and the offense continued to create chances and outshoot opponents. The Huskies have outshot their opponents 57-43 in their last four games.

NU had another solid opportunity on the James Madison net early in the second half when Ehrlich took a shot that went off Dukes keeper redshirt freshman Justin Epperson’s hands and found sophomore midfielder Santiago Bedoya, who collected the rebound and sent the ball toward the net, hitting the post.

The Huskies improved to 3-2-3 with the win. They continue CAA play in their next game with a visit to Georgia State Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.