Valparaiso opened up the exhibition portion of its 2011 schedule on Friday afternoon, playing Western Michigan to a 2-2 draw at the WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“This was your typical opening exhibition match,” head coach John Marovich said afterwards.  “We did some things that we liked and also found some things that we need to improve upon.  That’s exactly what these matches are for, and that is finding out who we are as a team.”

Catherine Terrell’s (Brighton, Mich./Brighton H.S.) goal with 10 minutes to play in regulation knotted the match.  She scored into an open net after picking up a loose ball following a Crusader service into the box.

Brooke Henderson (Westlake, Ohio/Westlake H.S.) scored Valpo’s first goal, just before intermission.  The senior co-captain headed home a corner kick off of the foot of fellow co-captain Tracy Roos (Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.) with 37 remaining in the opening stanza to tie the match at one.

Western Michigan scored first in the opening half as Stephanie Skowneski punched home a rebound after Megan Putnam’s shot was saved by Kristen Manski (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) following a corner kick. 

The Broncos took a 2-1 lead in the second half as Anina Cicerone headed in a corner kick off of the foot of Caitlin Henderson.

“I was happy to see us bounce back and score after each of their goals,” Marovich added.  “In the end I was pleased with the way we fought back to earn a draw out of the contest.”

Overtime was not played in the exhibition match.

Valparaiso will wrap up the exhibition portion of the schedule on Sunday afternoon hosting Kent State at Eastgate Field.  Kickoff is set for noon.