Sunday, September 25, 2005

Freshman Paul Leitelt (Munster, Ind./Munster) scored a pair of goals as Valpo put an emphatic end to a three-match scoreless streak, routing IPFW 4-0 Sunday at Eastgate Field.

After wet conditions slowed play early on, Leitelt scored what would prove to be the game winner with 27 seconds remaining in the first half off a feed from defenseman Nate Hyde (South Bend, Ind./Clay).

In the second half, the Crusaders (2-6-0, 0-1-0) came out blazing, dominating play and scoring three goals in a ten minute span. J.J. Eschenburg (Edgewood, N.M./Moriarty) knocked home a loose ball in the 58th minute for his first career goal, and Leitelt beat keeper Michael Knitter on a penalty kick five minutes later, the first Crusader penalty kick of the season. Chris Goss (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview) rounded out the scoring in the 68th minute, heading home an Eschenburg cross.

Jeff Oleck (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) made his first start in goal since September 11 and made the most of it, posting his first shutout of the season and 10th of his career, second most in school history. Oleck also moved into second on the career saves list with six Sunday, giving him 290 for his career.

The sloppy conditions led to physical play on both sides, with the Crusaders tallying 26 fouls and one yellow card in the match, while IPFW (1-7-0, 0-1-0) picked up a pair of yellows.

Valpo resumes Mid-Continent Conference play Saturday, October 1 at Eastgate Field with a 1:00 p.m. match against Centenary.