Despite playing a man short for nearly 60 minutes, Valparaiso scored its first victory of the season on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Saint Joseph's (Ind.) 2-1 at Eastgate Field.

The match was a make-up of the postponement from Friday.

Jon Brighton (Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County H.S.) scored on a rebound of a Nate Balfanz (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria H.S.) free kick at 69:04 for the match-winner.

Valpo jumped in front early as Chris Goss (Battle Creak, Mich./Lakeview H.S.) headed home a cross from Jeremy Stacy (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central H.S.) just 5:44 into the match.

The Brown and Gold were forced to play with just ten men beginning at the 22:58 mark after a red card, and 1:55 later the Pumas tied the match as Reshad Etminan scored an unassisted goal from ten yards out.

The match stayed 11-on-10 until Saint Joseph's recorded a red card of its own at the 82:08 mark as the match finished with ten players on each side.

Valpo, despite playing short a majority of the match, outshot the Pumas 19-14, holding a 13-6 advantage on goal. Saint Joseph's goalkeeper Dan Ford made ten stops while Jeff Oleck (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) made five for the Brown and Gold.

Valparaiso (1-1-1) has moved to the .500 mark for the first time during the season since September 13, 2002 when the Crusaders were 2-2-1.

Valpo will open Mid-Continent Conference action on Friday evening with a 5 p.m. match against Oral Roberts at Eastgate Field.