Match #13: Friday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m. CDT
Valpo (10-2, 3-0 Mid-Con) at IPFW (2-6, Independent)
Match #14: Sunday Oct. 8, 1 p.m. CDT
Lewis (3-10, 2-7 GLVC) at Valpo (10-2, 3-0 Mid-Con)

This Week in Crusader Soccer: Valparaiso looks to extend its school-best eight match winning streak this weekend as the Crusaders step out of conference play for a pair of matches. On Friday the Brown and Gold will head to Fort Wayne, Ind. to battle IPFW while on Sunday the Crusaders will host Lewis on Senior Day at Eastgate Field.

On the Air: Friday's match at IPFW will not be broadcast. Sunday's match against Lewis will be carried live by WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.

Series Notes: Valparaiso holds a 3-1-1 record all-time against the Mastodons, including a 1-0-1 mark in Fort Wayne. The Crusaders have won the last three meetings between the two schools, including a 2-1 victory at Eastgate Field last season. Valpo and Lewis are meeting for the first time on the pitch.

Scouting IPFW: The Mastodons enter the week having been idle since a 5-1 loss at UW-Green Bay on September 24. IPFW has dropped four straight matches prior to Wednesday's contest against Detroit. Jenny Thornton leads the team in scoring with two goals and two assists for six points. The junior defender is the team's lone multi-goal scorer on the year. In goal, Shannon Lynn has played every minute between the posts for IPFW, sporting a 2.50 goals against average and a .623 save mark.

Scouting Lewis: The Flyers enter this week on the heels of a 2-1 overtime victory against Northern Kentucky Sunday afternoon. Lewis plays Thursday and Friday this week prior to visiting Eastgate Field. Jenna Volpi leads the Flyers in scoring on the season with six points on three goals. Allison Wilkerson and Bethanee Taylor each have a pair, including Wilkerson's two match-winners. In goal, Lindsay Frederickson has played most of the minutes, sporting a 2.54 goals against average.

Wrapping Up Last Week's Action: The Crusaders began last weekend with a 3-0 non-conference victory at future Horizon League foe Youngstown State. Valpo outshot the Penguins 26-1 and got goals from Sarah Jewell, Laura Murphy, and Reva Van Aartsen. On Sunday, Valpo improved to 3-0 in the Mid-Con with a 2-1 victory at Oakland. Jessie White's goal with just 1:24 remaining in regulation gave the Crusaders the victory. Dana McGlone put Valpo on the board in the first half.

White is Mid-Con Offensive Player of the Week: Jessie White has been named the Mid-Con Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the match-winning goal with just 1:24 left for the Crusaders at Oakland.

Valpo Off to Best Start Ever: The Crusaders' 10-2 mark is, by far and away, the best start in program history. Valpo's previous best 12-match start was 7-4-1, in 2005.

Longest Win Streak in School History Continues: Valpo's eight-match winning streak heading into this weekend has shattered the old school record for consecutive victories. The 2000 team won six straight matches from September 17-October 10 of that year.

Road Warriors: Valpo is 7-0 on the road thus far this season. The seven road triumphs better the 2001 team's mark of five road wins for most victories on an opponent's home field in school history. Valpo has two road contests left on the schedule, including the one this weekend, prior to the Mid-Con Tournament.

Succeeding in Overtime: Valpo has needed extra time for four victories this season, but continued to have success in overtime. The Crusaders are unbeaten in overtime in their last 12 contests (6-0-6) dating back to 2003.

Johnson Likes the Winners: Lori Johnson has already scored four match-winning goals this season for the Crusaders after her victor against Evansville. She has now tied Lori Moore's mark in both 2000 and 2001 for the school record in a single season. The sophomore has six match-winners in her career, third most all-time in school history.

Thanks Seniors: Sunday will mark the final home weekend match of the year for the Crusaders, and seniors Jen Bartels and Liberty Ziegahn will be honored prior to the contest. Entering the week, the seniors have posted a 35-29-6 mark during their careers, and are the most successful class in school history.

Halftime Adjustments Do Valpo Wonders: As well as the Crusaders have played this season, they have performed even better in the second half of games than the first. Valpo is 5-0 when leading at intermission and have outscored opponents 17-4 after the break.

Johnson-Jewell Leads Mid-Con in Scoring: Forwards Lori Johnson and Sarah Jewell are tied for the Mid-Con lead in goal scoring this season. Each has found the back of the net five times on the year.

First Time Goal Scorers Continue: Reva Van Aartsen found the back of the net for the first time in her career on Friday at Youngstown State. She is the eighth Crusader to tally their first career goal this season.

Murray Having Stellar Season: Junior netminder Erin Murray has posted a 0.75 goals against average in 958 minutes of play this season. She has allowed just eight goals during the span, saving shots at an .818 rate. Valpo's single season record for GAA currently is 1.35, set by Murray last season.

Scoring Already Among Best All-Time at Valpo: The 27 goals Valpo has already scored this season ranks fourth all-time while the 21 assists are third most in school history for a team.

Thomas Earns Defensive Honor September 25Jackie Thomas was named the Mid-Con Defensive Player of the Week on September 25 after the Crusaders posted a pair of wins against Oral Roberts and Evansville.

Murray Named Mid-Con Defensive Player of the Week on September 18: Erin Murray was named the Mid-Con's Defensive Player of the Week after not surrendering a goal in more than 173 minutes of action between September 15 and 17. The junior netminder notched a shutout against Western Illinois as well in the Mid-Con opener.

Brown Earns Offensive Honors from the Mid-Con: Kendall Brown was named the Mid-Continent Conference Offensive Player of the Week on September 11. At Belmont, the sophomore scored a pair of goals, including the match-winner in overtime, while tying the match late in the second half. She finished the weekend with a total of nine shot attempts. She had four shots at Belmont and five more at Lipscomb.

Valpo Picked Third in Preseason Poll: The Crusaders were selected third in the Mid-Continent Conference preseason poll conducted of the league's head coaches. Valpo earned two first place votes but finished one point behind Oral Roberts in the race for second. Oakland is the preseason favorite.