The Valpo women’s soccer team fell by a 3-0 final score to visiting Colorado State Brown Field on Friday night as the program hosted its annual pediatric cancer awareness match.

How It Happened

• Valpo had a number of early chances, taking advantage of attacks down the right side. The Brown and Gold earned a pair of corner kicks and attempted three shots in the first 12 minutes, but both their efforts on goal were saved by CSU goalkeeper Gabi McDonald.
• Colorado State took the lead in the 15^th Valpo goalkeeper Georgia Henkel (Houston, Texas/Stratford) saved an initial CSU shot and a follow-up attempt was blocked by a Valpo defender. The rebound off the second effort fell to Gracie Armstrong, however, and she fed Kristen Noonan on the right-hand side of the six-yard box, who finished inside the right post to put the Rams on top.
• CSU doubled its lead in the 30^th Caeley Lordemann sent a through ball right up the middle of the field, and Caroline Lucas won the race to the ball in the box before striking from 15 yards out to make it a 2-0 game.
• The Rams closed out the scoring in the 64^th minute off a set piece. Armstrong’s corner kick was headed home by Noonan for her second goal of the match.

Inside the Match

• Valpo was hosting its annual pediatric cancer awareness match on Friday, raising money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Fans who were unable to make the match, but wish to donate to the cause, can do so all season long at https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1849648.
• CSU out-shot Valpo on Friday evening, 14-8, and put eight shots on goal to Valpo’s three. Henkel made five saves in goal for the Crusaders, while McDonald stopped all three shots for CSU to keep the clean sheet.
• CSU, which is off to its best start in program history at 5-1-1, also held a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks as well.
• Freshman Kiley Dugan (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) attempted two of Valpo’s three shots on frame.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich

“I was really happy with our group in the first 20 minutes of the game. We picked the right times to press, found ways to play out of that, and had several potential scoring opportunities that came across the top of the box. We’re there, getting chances, but just not connecting the final pass.”

“Unfortunately, right now, we’re not punishing our opponents for their mistakes, while our opponents are punishing us for ours. We’re a young group, but we have to respond better when those negative things happen.”

“It’s all about the mindset – if we put one of those chances away early, that game has a completely different narrative. Instead, we give up a goal, try to chase it and scrap to get it back, and open ourselves up. Colorado State is a very good team, and we were right there for a large part of the game, especially in the first 20 minutes.”

Next Up

Valpo (0-8-1) closes out non-conference play Sunday night at UIC with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.