A penalty kick early in the second half proved to be the turning point Friday night as the Valparaiso University women’s soccer team hosted Toledo at Brown Field, as the Rockets took advantage of the foul in the area in the 48th minute to take the lead en route to a 2-0 defeat for Valpo.

How It Happened
- Valpo controlled the first 45 minutes of play Friday night in front of a large crowd on the back end of the Futbol at Brown doubleheader, limiting the Rockets to just two shots in the first half. But the Crusaders were unable to convert any of their six attempts, as the game went into the half scoreless.
- Things turned early in the second half, as Valpo was whistled for a foul in the middle of the box just 2:36 into the period. Toledo’s Abby Demboski stepped up and knocked home the ensuing spot kick to give her side the 1-0 advantage.
- Valpo’s best look at the equalizer came in the 67th minute, as senior Natalia Kontul (Solon, Ohio/Solon) sent in a long free kick from the left side that took a couple hops past players from both sides in the box and knocked off the right post.
- Toledo found an insurance tally in the 74th minute, as Alex Troy went inside the far post from the left side of the box to make it a 2-0 game.

Inside the Match
- Valpo dropped Friday night’s match despite out-shooting Toledo (1-1-1) by a final count of 11-7. The Rockets placed five of their seven efforts on goal, however, compared to just three of 11 by Valpo.
- Sophomore Kezia Gesell (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Glenlawn Collegiate Institute) stopped a pair of shots in goal for Valpo, while Toledo goalkeeper Madison Perrin made three saves to earn the shutout.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich
“We’re disappointed with the outcome, but fans who were here tonight saw us put together a really quality first 45 minutes. I thought our soccer intelligence came through with the way we played in the first half, but we’ve got to be able to maintain that for a full 90.”

“There’s plenty for us to take from this match to help us develop and grow. We need to take all the really good soccer stuff we do, and get a good work product at the end – that last piece is finishing in the final third.”

Next Up
Valparaiso (1-1-1) hosts Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.