Friday, September 03, 2004

Valparaiso scored three times in the second half to erase a 3-1 deficit and defeat Evansville on the road 4-3 Friday evening.

Lindsay Holley (Waldorf, Md./Westlake H.S.) scored twice and Jen Bartels (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores H.S.) added four points as Valpo tied its fifth highest goal output in school history.

The last time the Crusaders scored four or more goals was October 1, 2000 at Youngstown State. The four assists in the match for the Crusaders rank third in school history as a team as well.

Evansville got on the scoreboard first at the 14:28 mark as Lindsey Ralph scored from five yards out. Holley answered for the Brown and Gold just over four minutes later after receiving a touch from Amanda Meyer (Somerset, Wis./Somerset H.S.).

The Purple Aces regained the lead at the 25:16 mark when Sarah Groves scored from 26 yards out. Heidi Gray made it 3-1 heading into intermission.

Valpo outshot Evansville 9-4 in the opening half, despite trailing at the break. Jessica Sumner was called on to make three first half stops for the Purple Aces to keep the hosts in front.

The second half turned out to be all Valpo though as the Crusaders notched their first victory of the year. Emily King (Colona, Ill./United Township H.S.) cut the deficit to one just 5:55 into the second half heading home a Bartels corner kick.

Holley then evened the match at the 63:30 mark, scoring from eight yards out after receiving Bartels second assist of the match. Bartels then tallied the match winner at the 69:20 mark. After receiving a pass from Meyer, she then beat back-up goalkeeper Whitney Raeon to put the Crusaders on top for the first time and score what proved to be the final tally.

Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) got the win in goal for the Crusaders, making just one stop over the final 62 minutes after coming in for Danielle Guerra (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) who left the match with an injury.

The Crusaders outshot the Purple Aces 17-9 for the contest and held a 3-1 advantage on corner kicks won.

Valpo (1-2) will continue its weekend road trip on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. match at Murray State.