The Valparaiso women’s soccer team posted its fourth consecutive shutout on Sunday, as the Crusaders battled Evansville to a scoreless, double-overtime draw in action at Brown Field.

The Crusader defense, backstopped by goalkeeper Sydney Galvez-Daley (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick [Creighton]), extended its shutout streak to 436 consecutive minutes of soccer with the clean sheet on Sunday.  Galvez-Daley made three saves to preserve the shutout, including a nice stop on a 1-v-1 effort from Evansville attacker Montana Portenier in the 81^st minute.

Meanwhile, Valpo totaled 14 shots on the game to the Purple Aces’ eight, but were able to get just three on goal.  The Crusaders’ best chance at scoring came early on in the first period, in the 12^th minute of action.  Junior Rita Craven (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) launched a shot from outside the 18-yard box which ricocheted off the crossbar, and the rebound fell to the feet of sophomore Kat Anesini (Seattle, Wash./Ballard), whose follow-up effort was stopped by Evansville (4-3-2) goalkeeper Simone Busby. 

Busby also made a leaping save on a close-range shot from Shelby Oelschlager (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Range) off a free kick into the box in the 79^th minute, pushing the ball over the bar.  The two sides would tally just four combined shots in extra time as the game ended in a scoreless draw.

“We have created chances, and I’ve liked the energy and the effort – the performances are good,” said Crusader head coach John Marovich.  “That’s why we’re getting ties.  Now it’s being more effective on the final pass, the final touch – it’s a foot here, a foot there, to convert those into goals.  We just have to keep working every day in training and keep our mind right.  Today’s game is behind us now – we have to move forward and focus on Eastern Illinois, focus on getting better in the areas we can get better in.”

Valparaiso (2-1-4) faces its final tuneup for Horizon League play on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders travel to take on Eastern Illinois.  Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m., and live stats will be available through ValpoAthletics.com.