6/27/2013
Zobeck Named Winner of Horizon League's Coleman Award
Valparaiso University men’s soccer standout Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) has been named the male recipient of the Horizon League’s 2012-2013 Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor, the league office announced Thursday, June 27.
6/6/2013
Valpo Men's Soccer Unveils 2013 Schedule
Six matches against teams which made the NCAA Tournament last season highlight the 2013 schedule for the Valparaiso men's soccer program, as released today by head coach Mike Avery. Be sure to check out Avery's thoughts on the schedule in the attached video.
5/30/2013
Pair of Former Crusader Stars Meet at Professional Level in U.S. Open Cup
A pair of former Valparaiso men's soccer standouts, Stefan Antonijevic and Kyle Zobeck, saw their respective professional clubs meet earlier this week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
5/15/2013
Crusader Men’s Soccer Announces Six More Additions for 2013
Six student-athletes have confirmed their intention to join the Valparaiso men’s soccer program this fall, head coach Mike Avery announced today, bringing the total number of the 2013 incoming recruiting class to 12. This second group of future Crusaders will join the group of six previously announced recruits in bolstering the Valparaiso roster as they prepare to face one of the strongest schedules in program history in the 2013 soccer season.
4/23/2013
Valpo Men's Soccer Hosts Successful St. Baldrick's Fundraiser
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team hosted its third annual head-shaving fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation at the ARC on Sunday, benefiting funding to find cures for childhood cancers. 84 volunteers had their heads shaved as the donations totaled more than $21,000.
4/20/2013
Crusader Men’s Soccer to Hold Third Annual Fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Members of the Valparaiso men’s soccer team, as well as Valparaiso University president Dr. Mark Heckler and wife Veronica, among others, will be getting their heads shaved for the third consecutive year at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Sunday, April 21 at noon as the Crusaders raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding research to find cures for childhood cancers.
3/29/2013
Men’s Soccer to Host VIP Weekend April 13-14
The Valparaiso University men's soccer program is excited to announce its first ever Valpo Soccer VIP Weekend, to be held on April 13-14. The VIP Weekend will allow prospective student-athletes to be immersed fully in the university experience while specifically targeting the academic, athletic, and social aspects of campus life.
3/27/2013
Antonijevic Inks Professional Deal With Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Former Valparaiso men's soccer player Stefan Antonijevic became the second Crusader alum to sign a professional contract this month, inking a deal with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League as announced by the club this week.
3/5/2013
Former Crusader Zobeck Signs With FC Dallas
Former Valparaiso goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck has become the first Crusader men's soccer alum to sign a Major League Soccer contract, as Zobeck inked a deal with FC Dallas, as announced by the club Tuesday morning. Per league and team policy, the terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.
2/18/2013
Betancourt Playing For Puerto Rico at 2013 CONCACAF U20 Championship
Valparaiso freshman midfielder Alvaro Betancourt (Caguas, P.R.) has joined his Puerto Rico U20 national team teammates south of the border for the 2013 CONCACAF U20 Championship to be held Feb. 18 - Mar. 3, 2013 in Puebla, Mexico.
2/13/2013
Crusader Men’s Soccer Announces Additions for 2013 Season
Valparaiso University head men’s soccer coach Mike Avery announced today that the Crusaders have received commitments from six players to join the Valpo program as freshmen for the fall of 2013. The newest additions to the Crusader program includes defenders Mo Harb and John Patton , midfielder Forrest Chong, forward Kevin Klett and goalkeepers Nate Kitchell and Jacob Peterson . These six players join Julio Velasquez, who started classes and has been a part of team training since his enrollment in January.
2/10/2013
Ten Crusaders Named to Academic All-Horizon League Squads
Valparaiso placed a league-high ten student-athletes over five sports on the Horizon League's 2012 Fall Academic All-League Teams, as announced by the league office.
1/31/2013
Meet Todd Vervynckt
Meet Todd Vervynckt of the Valparaiso men's soccer team - a standout on the field and an Academic All-American in the classroom.
1/22/2013
Zobeck Chosen in MLS Supplemental Draft by FC Dallas
For the second straight season, the Valparaiso men's soccer program had a player chosen in the Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft, as two-time Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year Kyle Zobeck learned Tuesday he had been selected by FC Dallas with the seventh pick of the second round.
1/14/2013
Men's Soccer to Host VIP Day Camp March 17
The Valparaiso University men's soccer program is excited to announce their first Valpo VIP Day Camp of the new year. This one-day event, to be held on March 17th, is an alternative to the customary overnight camp and designed to maximize the player's experience while not distracting him from an already busy club schedule.
11/29/2012
Vervynckt Named Third Team Academic All-American
Valparaiso junior Todd Vervynckt (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) has been named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America Division I Men’s Soccer Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), it was announced on Thursday. Vervynckt becomes the second Crusader men's soccer player in the last three years to earn the national academic honor.
11/29/2012
Zobeck Named October HL Male Scholar-Athlete of the Month
Valparaiso goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) has been named the Horizon League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the month of October.
11/16/2012
Crusader Soccer Teams Earn NSCAA Team Academic Award
For the tenth consecutive year, both the Valparaiso men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams were awarded with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award, as announced by the organization on Friday.
11/11/2012
Bullard, Smith Earn All-Tournament Honors
Valparaiso men’s soccer seniors Jaymie Bullard (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Jon Smith (McKinney, Texas/McKinney) closed out their Crusader careers by earning All-Tournament Team honors at the 2012 Horizon League Championship.
11/9/2012
Crusaders Fall in Horizon League Semifinals
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team saw its 2012 campaign come to a close on Friday, as the Crusaders fell 1-0 to Cleveland State in Horizon League Championship semifinal action in Detroit, Mich.
11/8/2012
Crusaders Set For HL Semi Against Cleveland State
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team takes aim at the 2012 Horizon League Championship this weekend in Detroit, advancing to the semifinals following a 1-0 win on Tuesday over Milwaukee. The fourth-seeded Crusaders face second-seeded Cleveland State at 10 a.m. CST on Friday, with the winner facing either Loyola or Detroit for the championship on Sunday.
11/6/2012
Crusaders Advance to HL Semis With 1-0 Win Over Milwaukee
Senior Jaymie Bullard (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) headed home a cross from close range just 22 seconds before halftime Tuesday evening, the only goal #4 Valparaiso would need as it downed #5 Milwaukee 1-0 in a Horizon League Championship quarterfinal at Brown Field. The win advances the Crusaders to the semifinals, where they will take on #2 Cleveland State in Detroit on Friday morning at 10 a.m. CST.
11/5/2012
Crusaders Set to Host Milwaukee Tuesday Night
For the second time in 72 hours, the Valparaiso men’s soccer team will face off against Milwaukee, as the two squads meet Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Brown Field in the Horizon League Championship quarterfinals. The Crusaders enter the tournament as the fourth seed, while the Panthers are the fifth seed.
11/5/2012
Zobeck Repeats as Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year; Four Crusaders Honored
Valparaiso fifth-year senior Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) became the first goalkeeper in Horizon League history to earn consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honors and was named to the All-League First Team, leading a group of four Crusaders who were honored on Monday as the league announced its postseason awards.
11/3/2012
Valpo Men Fall at Milwaukee
The Valparaiso men's soccer team closed out the 2012 regular season on Saturday evening in Milwaukee, Wis., falling to Milwaukee by a 2-1 final. The Crusaders will open the Horizon League Championship as the fourth seed in a re-match with the Panthers at Brown Field on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
11/2/2012
Valpo Men's Soccer Closes Regular Season Saturday at Milwaukee
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team closes out the regular season on Saturday evening in a Horizon League matchup at Milwaukee. The Crusaders, who have already secured a spot in the league tournament, can clinch a top-four seed and a home game with a win or draw.
11/1/2012
Vervynckt Earns Academic All-District Honor
Valparaiso junior Todd Vervynckt (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) was named to the Capital One Academic All-District V Men’s Soccer team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced on Thursday. With the selection, Vervynckt will move on to the ballot for Academic All-American honors.
10/30/2012
Crusader Men Down IPFW Tuesday Evening
A pair of goals from freshman Jordan Aidoud (L'isled'Abeau, France/CEFAM) helped Valparaiso to a 3-1 victory over IPFW Tuesday evening in non-league play in Fort Wayne, Ind.
10/27/2012
Crusaders Fall On Late Goal at Michigan
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team dueled to a scoreless game with Big Ten foe Michigan for over 88 minutes on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Mich., but an 89th minute goal by the host Wolverines sent the Crusaders to a 1-0 defeat. The loss snapped Valpo’s six-match unbeaten streak.
10/24/2012
Crusaders Defeat Wright State For Third Straight Victory
Valparaiso scored a goal in each half to end the 2012 regular season home slate on a high note, defeating Wright State Wednesday evening at Brown Field, 2-1, in Horizon League action. The win was the Crusaders' third consecutive win and sixth consecutive result, matching a program record for longest unbeaten streak.
10/23/2012
Crusaders Set to Host Regular Season Home Finale, Travel to Michigan
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team closes out the 2012 home regular season slate with a key Horizon League showdown against Wright State on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Valpo then steps out of league play to take on Big Ten foe Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon. Catch head coach Mike Avery's thoughts on the Valpo Coaches Show by clicking the 'play' button to the left.
10/22/2012
Nieto, Zobeck Sweep Horizon League Weekly Awards
Sophomore Eric Nieto (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Louisville Collegiate [Ky.] H.S.) and fifth-year senior Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) were named the Horizon League Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, on Monday after helping Valparaiso to a pair of victories last week.
10/21/2012
Crusaders Earn Critical Road Win at Detroit
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team picked up three points on the road Sunday afternoon in a crucial Horizon League matchup, scoring a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes despite playing a man down to defeat Detroit by a 2-0 final.
10/17/2012
Crusaders Earn Rainy Win Over Northern Illinois
In a game played Wednesday night in driving rain at points, the Valparaiso men's soccer team made a pair of goals in the first 13 minutes stand up for a 2-1 victory in non-league play over Northern Illinois. The Crusaders extended their unbeaten streak to four games with the win.
10/17/2012
Zobeck One of 10 Finalists For Senior CLASS Award
Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) has been named one of 10 nationwide finalists for the 2012 men's soccer Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. Fans can vote for Zobeck to win the award through November 19.
10/16/2012
Valpo Set to Host NIU in Fields of Dreams Uganda Benefit Match
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team hosts a non-league game Wednesday night under the lights at Brown Field as it welcomes Northern Illinois. The Crusaders then travel to play Sunday afternoon in league play against Detroit. Wednesday’s match will serve as the Crusaders’ benefit match for Fields of Dreams Uganda.
10/13/2012
Crusaders Duel to Scoreless Draw With Cleveland State
Valparaiso picked up a point in Horizon League play on Saturday night, as the Crusaders and Cleveland State played to a scoreless double-overtime draw at Brown Field.
10/11/2012
Crusaders Host Cleveland State For Annual TOCO Benefit Match
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team looks to move up the Horizon League standings Saturday night as the Crusaders host Cleveland State under the lights at Brown Field at 7 p.m. Saturday night’s match will serve as the Crusaders’ fourth annual TOCO benefit match, with the standard admission fee waived in favor of a donation gate.
10/9/2012
Valpo Earns Draw With Big East's DePaul
Playing under the shadow of the 'L' at Wish Field on the north side of Chicago Tuesday afternoon, the Valparaiso men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with Big East foe DePaul.
10/6/2012
Crusaders Draw With Green Bay
A goal by senior Jaymie Bullard (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) in the 79th minute equalized Valparaiso's match Saturday night at Brown Field against Green Bay, and the Crusaders and Phoenix ended the night with a 1-1 draw.
10/4/2012
Valpo Men Host Green Bay Saturday Night
The Crusader men’s soccer team closes out a busy Homecoming Saturday on the Valparaiso campus under the lights at Brown Field, as they host Green Bay in a Horizon League showdown.
9/29/2012
Crusaders Fall 1-0 at UIC
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 defeat in Horizon League play Saturday evening, falling at UIC on a 67th minute goal.
9/28/2012
Valpo Men’s Soccer Announces Winter VIP Camp Dates
The Valparaiso men’s soccer program will be hosting a pair of VIP Day Camps in the coming months on Sunday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Mar. 17. These one-day events are an alternative to the customary overnight camp and offer the serious high school, or post-high school, male soccer athlete a focused curriculum designed to assist them as they prepare and grow as soccer players.
9/27/2012
Valpo Men's Soccer Heads to UIC Saturday Night
Valparaiso continues a stretch of three consecutive Horizon League matches to kick off the league slate on Saturday evening, as the Crusaders make the short trip to Chicago to face off against UIC.
9/22/2012
Crusader Men Earn Point in League Opener
The Valparaiso men's soccer team earned a point in its Horizon League opener on Saturday evening, dueling to a scoreless double-overtime draw with Loyola on a cool night at Brown Field.
9/19/2012
Crusader Men Drop One-Goal Decision at IUPUI
The tough-luck stretch for the Valparaiso men's soccer team continued on Wednesday evening, as despite 20 shot attempts, including eight which were on goal, the Crusaders fell 1-0 at IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind.
9/18/2012
Zobeck One of 30 Candidates for Senior CLASS Award
Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2012 men’s soccer Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
9/18/2012
Valpo Men Open Horizon League Play This Week
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team looks to snap a four-match losing streak in its final contest prior to the start of league play Wednesday night at IUPUI. The Crusaders then return home to Brown Field Saturday night to face the Loyola squad which eliminated them from the Horizon League Championship last season.
9/14/2012
Crusaders Fall 1-0 to Western Michigan
Despite a 16-5 advantage in shot attempts, the Valparaiso men's soccer team couldn't find a goal on Friday night at Brown Field, falling to Western Michigan, 1-0.
9/12/2012
Valpo Men Return Home For 'Veterans Honoring Veterans' Night
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team returns home to Brown Field this Friday evening for its lone match of the week, as the Crusaders host Western Michigan. It will be ‘Veterans Honoring Veterans’ night, as Valpo celebrates its senior class of ten players on Friday while also recognizing veterans of military service.
9/9/2012
Crusaders Drop California Finale, 1-0
Valparaiso concluded its two-match swing through the state of California Sunday afternoon, dropping a 1-0 decision at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
9/7/2012
Crusader Men Drop Road Test at #9 UC Santa Barbara
Junior Todd Vervynckt (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) scored a goal off a corner kick in the 29th minute as Valparaiso led #9 UC Santa Barbara at halftime Friday evening in Santa Barbara, Calif., but the Gauchos scored a pair of second-half goals to down the Crusaders, 2-1.
9/5/2012
Head West, Young Men: Crusader Soccer Travels to California
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team travels to the Golden State for the first time since 2006 this weekend, playing a pair of matches in California. The Crusaders will take on the nation’s ninth-ranked team in UC Santa Barbara on Friday night before facing Cal Poly on Sunday afternoon.
9/2/2012
Valpo Men Drop 1-0 Decision to Western Illinois
A goal in the seventh minute proved to be the difference Sunday afternoon at Brown Field, as the Valparaiso men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to visitng Western Illinois.
8/31/2012
Valpo Athletics Launches New Social Media Fan Engagement Program
Valpo Athletics announces the launch of a new social media fan engagement program where Crusader fans can show their support for Valpo Athletics and each individual team through a combination of in-game social media campaigns, engaging teams on social networks and earning rewards through our new Valpo Crusader Social Rewards program. Fans can visit ValpoRewards.com to start playing!
8/31/2012
Crusader Men to Host Western Illinois Sunday
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team closes out a brief two-match homestand with a rare afternoon game at Brown Field, hosting former Mid-Con rival Western Illinois at 1 p.m. this Sunday. The Crusaders are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to three matches to open the 2012 season.
8/27/2012
Crusader Men Roll to Victory in Home Opener
The Valparaiso men's soccer team scored three goals in each half Monday night at Brown Field, opening the 2012 home slate with a 6-1 victory over Saint Joseph's (Ind.).
8/24/2012
Crusader Men Draw With Michigan State to Open Season
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team opened the season with a result on the road against a Big Ten opponent, traveling to East Lansing, Mich. and battling to a 0-0 (2ot) draw with Michigan State Friday afternoon.
8/23/2012
Crusader Men's Soccer Set to Open Season
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team opens up the 2012 regular season this weekend with a pair of contests, traveling to Big Ten foe Michigan State for a Friday afternoon match before opening the home slate against St. Joseph’s (Ind.) on Monday evening. The start of the season marks the beginning of the Crusaders’ defense of their 2011 Horizon League regular season championship.
8/15/2012
Betancourt, Puerto Rico to Take On Spain This Afternoon
Crusader fans can catch incoming freshman Alvaro Betancourt (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola) as part of the Puerto Rico national team as it takes on 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012 champions Spain in a friendly from Bayamon, P.R. this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen live on ESPN3.com.
8/9/2012
Crusader Men Picked Third in Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso men’s soccer team picked up the most first-place votes of any Horizon League team en route to being chosen to finish in third place during the 2012 season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches. The Crusaders are coming off of their first ever Horizon League regular season championship last year.
7/31/2012
Avery, Woodson Agree to Extensions
Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that men’s soccer head coach Mike Avery and baseball head coach Tracy Woodson have both agreed to extensions after leading their respective teams to Horizon League championships during the 2011-2012 school year.
7/23/2012
Betancourt Captaining Puerto Rico U-20 Team at CONCACAF Qualifiers
Valparaiso incoming freshman Alvaro Betancourt will be captaining the Puerto Rico U-20 National Team this week as it competes in CONCACAF Under-20 Championship qualifying.
7/17/2012
Oleck Promoted to Associate Head Coach
Valparaiso men’s soccer head coach Mike Avery announced today that Jeff Oleck, who is entering his fourth season as a member of the Crusader coaching staff, has been promoted to associate head coach.
7/5/2012
Trio of Crusaders to Play for USASA U-23 National Title
Three Valparaiso men’s soccer players: Charles Barden (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar), Todd Vervynckt (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) and Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) are on the roster of the Carolina RailHawks U-23 side which won the USASA U-23 National Cup Region III Championship to advance to the 2012 USASA U-23 Men’s National Cup Finals Championship.
7/3/2012
Valpo Soccer Player Honored as Tau Beta Pi Laureate
Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering and Department of Athletics both have high expectations for its students and student-athletes, who have a long history of being recognized for their success. Continuing this tradition of excellence, Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West H.S.), a senior mechanical engineering major and mathematics minor as well as a member of the men’s soccer program, has been selected as a Tau Beta Pi Laureate, the highest distinction for a senior engineering student in the United States.
