Playing under the lights at Brown Field Friday evening, the Valpo soccer team controlled much of the match against visiting Northern Illinois and had more high-percentage opportunities, but in the end, it was an 86^th-minute goal for the Huskies which sent the Beacons to a 1-0 defeat.

How It Happened

• Valpo had the better of the opening 45 minutes and ended the half with eight shots, five of which were on goal. NIU goalkeeper Sadie McGill stopped all five shots, however — a couple of which were from close range — to keep the game scoreless at the break.
• Another great opportunity for Valpo to take the lead early in the second half just missed, as a header in the 49^th minute went off the left-hand post.
• Valpo enjoyed a 9-4 advantage in shots in the second half, but NIU’s final effort proved to be the decisive one, as Haley Hoppe’s shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net.

Inside the Match

• Valpo ended the match with a 17-8 advantage in shots and put eight on goal to NIU’s four.
• Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made three saves in goal for the Beacons.
• Valpo also attempted five of the seven combined corner kicks on the night.
• Junior Cierra Welch (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) earned the start at center back, her first starting assignment since the 2019 MVC Tournament.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich

“If we sit back and look at the result as the only thing that matters, we’re really missing the boat on tonight. It’s frustrating because we didn’t come out with the win tonight, but our quality of possession, of our movement in the attacking third and of our service was outstanding.

“Lindsey won the endline tonight as well as she has in her time here. Cierra stepped in at center back for the first time and gave a good performance. Our team executed our game model for what we were facing tonight well.”

“Unfortunately, of the eight quality chances that we created, none of them went in. But they were really good chances, and maybe next game, we see two or three of them go in.”

“It goes back to our core values – we have to look at ourselves and hold ourselves accountable for the moments that we know we can do better with, but the continued resiliency in the moment for what we’re putting forth on the field is wonderful to see. I absolutely love this group and how hard they’re working to get to where they want to get, which is what makes tonight tough to swallow, that we didn't get the result for the performance we put out.”

Next Up

Valpo (1-3-1) continues a stretch of three consecutive home matches Sunday afternoon at Brown Field, as the Beacons host St. Bonaventure at noon. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.