Almost lost in the University of Colorado soccer team's scoring troubles of late, has been the play of the Buffs' defense. Aside from one early-season hiccup, the Buffs have been suffocating.

They posted their seventh shutout of the season Sunday afternoon, blanking Iowa State 1-0 at Prentup Field. Speedster Nikki Marshall scored the gamewinner for her sixth goal of the season.

The Buffs allowed just three shots the entire match — including only one on goal — against a Cyclone squad that's enjoyed its best start in program history. The Cyclones (6-2-3, 2-1-1 Big 12 Conference) beat then-No. 16 Oklahoma State on Sept. 28 and tied No. 3 Texas on Friday.

"The defense was probably one of my biggest concerns going into the year, and it's been the most solid," CU coach Bill Hempen said.

The Buffs (6-3-3, 2-1-0) lost senior starting defender Brittany Dornseif, as well as sophomores Jess Quador and Kelly Ross, to injury before the season even started. After allowing just three goals in the first four matches, the Buffs hit the road in week three and surrendered four against No. 4 Virginia.

That's when the team's back row rededicated itself. The Buffs have allowed just two goals in six matches since then and haven't given up more than one in any match but the loss to Virginia.

Junior Michelle Wenino, sophomores Mary White and Ally Goodman, and freshmen Kym Lowry, Cortney Charlesworth and Natalie Weeks have combined for most of the work in the back. The Buffs also got a boost over the weekend with the return of Quador on Friday and Dornseif on Sunday.

"We think we're doing pretty well," Wenino said. "We've just got to keep doing it."

The defense's stinginess was needed Sunday.

The Buffs routed Nebraska 4-0 on Friday but struggled to get solid scoring chances against Iowa State. The Buffs finished with just four shots on goal.

Still, it trumped what the Cyclones could muster.

Their only shot on goal came from Casey Bothwell from 35 yards away. CU goalie Kirstin Radlinski, who's been splitting time in net with Kara Linder, made the save.

"Colorado put away their chance," ISU coach Rachel Hornbacher said. "We didn't creat any opportunities to shoot."

In the 20th minute, Marshall raced down the left side in transition, weaving through a pair of defenders before beating goalie Ann Gleason from close range. The goal was Marshall's third of the weekend, doubling her season total.

"We didn't play that well today but we came away with a win, and that's huge for us when we can get to that point in our season," Marshall said.

Hempen was happy with the Sunday result, something that never comes easy during Big 12 play when matches are played on Friday and Sunday.

"Sometimes you win with high energy and great play, and sometimes you just grind it out," Hempen said. "And today was the latter for us. You could see some of our kids weren't as sharp as they had been, but they were sharp enough."