Best of Valpo Athletics 2014-2015: Final Four Unveiled!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Best of Valpo Athletics 2014-2015: Final Four Unveiled!

The results are in from the quarterfinal round of voting for the Best of Valpo Athletics 2014-15 bracket, and with nearly 700 votes, Crusader fans have spoken. The final four which will face off include two Horizon League title wins, a program first and an entry into the NCAA record books.

Taylor Nadler’s (softball) on-base streak – May 2-6, 2015

- The streak started innocuously enough, as freshman Taylor Nadler knocked a single back through the middle in the first inning of the opener May 2 against Youngstown State. But in the highest-leverage games of the year – a twinbill versus YSU in which the Crusaders needed one win to secure a spot in the HL Championship, and the tournament opener four days later against Wright State – Nadler stepped up big time, reaching base in 10 consecutive plate appearances, a mark which is tied for eighth-best in NCAA history. Nadler went 7-for-7 with three walks during the stretch, while eight of her times reaching base came during innings where Valpo scored runs.

-vs.-

Women’s soccer Horizon League Championship win over Detroit – Nov. 8, 2014

- With so many great accomplishments in the books from the 2014 campaign, the Crusader women’s soccer team still needed a win in the Horizon League title match to reach the ultimate goal – the NCAA Tournament. And Valpo did it in style, as tournament MVP April Cronin found the back of the net in the 84th minute at Brown Field for the match-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Detroit for the tournament championship. The Crusader defense, which led the way all season long, was at its best, surrendering just two shots to the Titans as Valpo extended its school-record winning streak to 12 matches and earned its 12th clean sheet of the year.

-----

Men’s basketball Horizon League Championship win vs. Green Bay – Mar. 10, 2015

- Down by 10 with two minutes to go in the first half, playing without one starting guard, and losing another with injury for a stretch during the opening period. Given opportunities where it could have folded, the Valparaiso men’s basketball team did what it had done all season long – stepped up to the challenge. The Crusaders scored the final two baskets of the first half and then dominated the second half, outscoring Green Bay 35-19 to earn a 54-44 victory and claim the 2015 Horizon League Championship. A driving layup by E. Victor Nickerson with the shot clock winding down and 1:02 to play proved to be the dagger, while David Skara led the way with 12 points off the bench.

-vs.-

Men’s tennis win against Cleveland State in the Horizon League semifinals – Apr. 25, 2015

- One year after earning its first-ever win in the main draw of the Horizon League Championship, the Crusader men’s tennis team took it one step further this season, advancing to the league title match for the first time in program history with a 4-1 win over Cleveland State in the semifinals. Wins by Jeffrey Schorsch/Charlie Emhardt and Lucas Waak/Garrett Gardner secured the doubles point, and Schorsch and Emhardt quickly dispatched their singles opponents in straight sets to move Valpo within one point of the win. Dave Bacalla, who earned the clinching point in last season’s win in the tournament, again finished out a milestone win for the Crusaders, earning a three-set victory at no. 2 singles for the clincher.