Sunday, September 01, 2002

The University of Toledo scored three times the final eight minutes to break open a close match and down Valparaiso 5-1 in the season opener on Sunday afternoon at Eastgate Field.

The Rockets got on the scoreboard first when Corrie Hasenjager picked up a rebound from a Brittany Lawrence shot and found the back of the net in the 15th minute. Hasenjager added her second of the match just six minutes later when she scored from the left side after receiving a long corner kick from Alissa DeLong.

Valpo cut the lead in half at the 24:32 mark as Lori Moore (Dyer, Ind.) picked up an Amy Miller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Lakota West H.S., Ohio) rebound and send the match to half time with the Crusaders trailing 2-1.

Melissa Lesage tallied her first of two goals in the 83rd minute dribbling from midfield after taking a pass from Pam Richard and beating goalkeeper Kristen Templin (Madison, Wis./Middleton H.S.). Robin Davidson added a penalty kick at the 85:59 mark and Lesage added her second with just under a minute to play to complete the scoring.

Toledo outshot Valpo 16-12 for the match as Elise Donovan made six saves for the Rockets while Templin made four for the Brown and Gold. Each team had 11 fouls, while the Rockets held a 4-1 advantage on corner kicks.

Valpo will return to the field next Friday when the Crusaders travel to Cal Poly to face the host Mustangs in the opening round of their tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CDT.