Sunday, October 14, 2007

Box Score

                Valparaiso sent its six seniors away from Eastgate Field on a positive note on Sunday afternoon, scoring three times in the first 40 minutes of the match on the way to a 3-1 victory over Green Bay on Senior Day.

                 “I’m very pleased with our match today,” head coach Stephen Anthony said.  “I’m excited to win our final home match and send the seniors off victorious.”

                 Green Bay (2-12, 2-5 Horizon) jumped in front first, as Amanda Stinson scored at the 15:30 mark from eight yards out in the penalty area, following a failed clearing attempt by the Crusader defense.

                 Valpo answered less than six minutes later.  Kendall Brown (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel Catholic H.S.) scored on a cross from the right side of the box from Lori Johnson (Sachse, Texas/Naaman Forest H.S.) and beat goalkeeper Brooke Wikgren.

                 The Crusaders struck again at the 27:12 mark as Brown sent a shot from the outside that Wikgren saved, but the rebound came loose and Lynnea Pappas (Parma, Ohio/Holy Name H.S.) tapped in to put Valpo in front 2-1.

                 Jackie Kondratko (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) added what would be an insurance goal with 7:30 left before halftime scoring on a rebound in the box following a restart off of the foot of Jackie Thomas (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest H.S.).

                 Neither team would find the back of the net during the second 45 minutes of action as the Crusaders wrapped up their second Horizon League victory of the season and their first against Green Bay in nine matches.  

                “We showed a great deal of resiliency this afternoon coming back after allowing the early goal,” Anthony added.  “Much of this season we have not done a good job of this, and the three goals today showed improvement in our composure.”

                 Valparaiso outshot Green Bay 18-7 for the match, including a 13-4 edge on goal.  The Crusaders also had the only three corner opportunities in the contest.

                 Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made three saves for the Brown and Gold between the posts while Wikgren ended the match with 10 stops for the Phoenix.

                 Valparaiso (8-7, 2-3) will begin its regular season-ending three-match road trip on Friday afternoon in Youngstown, Ohio as the Crusaders take on the Penguins of Youngstown State.  Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CDT.