Valparaiso erupted for three second half goals after an even first half as the Crusaders defeated Cleveland State 4-1 on Friday afternoon at Eastgate Field.

Lori Johnson (Sachse, Texas/Naaman Forest H.S.) scored the eventual match-winner just 1:14 into the second half, taking a cross from Reva Van Aartsen (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East H.S.) and finding the far lower-right corner of the goal for her first of the season. The match-winner was Johnson's third of her career, tying her for fifth all-time in school history in that category.

Kendall Brown (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel Catholic H.S.) made it 3-1 Valpo at the 62:16 mark, breaking away from near midfield and beating a defender for an unassisted goal. The tally, the 11th of her career, moves the sophomore into a tie for fifth all-time on Valpo's goal scoring list.

Jessie White (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.) added an insurance tally, her first collegiate goal, with just 1:36 left in the match, taking a Laura Murphy (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley H.S.) cross in the middle of the penalty area and beating goalkeeper Erin Withrow.

The Crusaders jumped on the scoreboard just 4:03 into the match as Sarah Jewell (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill H.S.) banged home a Johnson rebound in the goalmouth for her second of the season. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Vikings' Heather Wagner tapped in a rebound from a Shayna Back shot a little more than two minutes later to tie the match at one. The score remained tied throughout the rest of the first half.

Valparaiso finished the match outshooting Cleveland State (1-2) 17-8, while earning six corner kicks to the Vikings' one. Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made three saves to earn the victory while Withrow made four stops for the visitors.

With the victory, Valpo improves to 3-0 all-time against the Vikings, a team they will join in the Horizon League next summer.

Valparaiso (2-1) will conclude its three-match homestand on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. match against Akron. The contest with the Zips will air live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.