Friday, September 02, 2005

Brittany Derksen (Chugiak, Alaska/Chugiak H.S.) scored just the third hat trick in Crusader soccer history and Kendall Brown (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel H.S.) added a pair of goals as Valparaiso downed Lipscomb 6-1 on Friday afternoon at Eastgate Field.

The six goals scored by the Crusaders tied for the second most in a match in the program's history, and give Valpo a 2-1 start to the season for the first time ever.

The Crusaders dominated play in the match, out shooting the Lady Bisons 38-1 for the match and setting a new school mark for shots attempted in a match. The previous record was 34, set in a 6-1 victory over Cleveland State last season. The lone Lipscomb shot came on a penalty kick in the first half that resulted in a goal.

Valpo jumped in front just 4:49 into the match as Derksen, who had two goals all of 2004, took a lead pass from Allison Swanson (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley H.S.) and beat goalkeeper Bethany Copeland.

The Brown and Gold added to the lead in the 17th minute as Brown took a Dana McGlone (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.) cross from the right and deposited it in the back of the net.

Lipscomb (0-3) cut the lead to one at the 23:27 mark as Dusty Shandy connected on a penalty kick after a Lady Bison was brought down in the penalty area. Valpo led just 2-1 at intermission despite holding a 14-1 shot advantage.

Brown added her second of the match just 52 seconds into the second half, scoring unassisted after a blast from 15 yards out on the left side. Derksen tallied her second of the contest under 13 minutes later, taking a feed from Lorna Torrez (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes H.S.) cross from the right at the far post, putting Valpo in front 4-1.

Emily King (Colona, Ill./United Township H.S.) got on the scoreboard with her first tally of the season at the 63:02 mark, scoring after receiving a corner from Torrez. Derksen capped off the scoring just 2:21 later, heading home a long feed from Courtney Rahrig (Centennial, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.).

Valpo fired 21 shots on goal in the match, with Copeland making 15 stops for the Lady Bisons. Valpo also held a 14-1 advantage on corner kicks. The five assists by the Crusaders tie a team record for helpers in a match.

Valparaiso will return to action at Eastgate Field on Sunday afternoon as the Crusaders host Indiana State in a 1 p.m. match.