Box Score

            Valparaiso saw its seven-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders dropped a 2-0 decision to Butler in the Horizon League opener for both schools in Indianapolis, Ind.

            Valpo, which had gone 6-0-1 in its last seven matches, surrendered two goals in the first 21 minutes of play and could not recover.

            “I am not happy about the result and we need to get better,” head coach John Marovich said afterwards.  “I am not discouraged though as I saw a lot of positives.  We’re still in a situation where we are learning each other, but that keeps improving.”

            Lauren Papierski scored her first goal of the season for Butler (5-5, 1-0 Horizon) just 14:20 into the match.  Following a Valpo turnover, Abbie Kaul got the ball to Papierski who scored off a deflection.

            The Bulldogs made it 2-0 less than six minutes later as Carrie Twyman chipped the ball over goalkeeper Mele Cabral (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) from 10 yards out.  Kenzie Kokta and Maite Bastyr both drew assists on the tally.

            Valpo managed just seven shots in the match, only one of which was on goal, and Laura Baker made the save for Butler.  The Bulldogs had five of their 11 shots on frame with Cabral turning away three.  The Crusaders had the only four corner kick opportunities in the match.

            Valparaiso (7-2-1, 0-1) will return to Eastgate Field for five of its next six matches beginning Wednesday afternoon as Wright State visits.  Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. with all the action carried live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpoathletics.com.

Match Notes: This was the second straight season Valpo and Butler met in the Crusaders’ Horizon League opener … it was the first time all season the Crusaders have allowed more than one goal in a match … Butler leads the all-time series 6-0 … Jackie Kondratko (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) had four of Valpo’s seven shot attempts, including the only tally on goal.