Valparaiso recorded its first Mid-Continent Conference victory of 2004 on Sunday afternoon, defeating Oakland 3-0 in Rochester, Mich.

The Crusaders struck first just 9:19 into the match as Brittany Derksen (Chugiak, Alaska/Chugiak H.S.) took a feed from Karie Sahly (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central H.S.) in the right corner of the box and beat goalkeeper Amber Gale.

Valpo took the 1-0 lead into intermission despite being outshot by the Golden Grizzlies 8-6 in the opening half. Lindsay Holley (Waldorf, Md./Westlake H.S.) added her team-leading fourth goal of the season at the 64:54 mark from ten yards out with Ashley Shaneyfelt (Roswell, Ga./Roswell H.S.) drawing the assist. Sahly then added her second goal of the season at the 69:08 mark to close out the scoring, finding the back of the net from 15 yards out. Emily King (Colona, Ill./United Township H.S.) and Shaneyfelt each drew assists on the goal.

Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made five saves in goal for the Crusaders to record her second straight shutout and third of the season. Gale made four first half saves for Oakland (6-7, 2-2 Mid-Con), while Jessica Howard made one stop in the second half.

Oakland outshot Valpo 15-12 for the match, but Valpo held an 8-7 advantage shooting on net. The Crusaders also won four corner kicks to Oakland's three.

Valparaiso (5-6-1, 1-2) will look to move to the .500 mark both overall and in Mid-Con play on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders host Southern Utah. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Eastgate Field.