The Valparaiso University men’s soccer team allowed two second-half goals in a 2-0 loss to Horizon League regular season champion Wright State on Friday night at Brown Field. By virtue of Milwaukee’s dramatic 1-0 win over Cleveland State, which came on a 90^th minute goal, the Crusaders have secured a spot in the Horizon League Tournament and will play at Milwaukee in the first round on Monday.

How It Happened

• The Raiders notched an early shot on goal, but Nico Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica / St. George’s College) stopped an AJ Paterson attempt in the second minute. That stood as the only shot on goal of the match until the 23^rd minute, when a Steffen Pulinx header was stopped by Wright State goalkeeper Joel Sundell.
• The Pulinx attempt remained the only shot on goal for the Crusaders in the first half. The Raiders did rip off two more shots on goal, necessitating three total first-half saves by Campbell to keep it scoreless through 45 minutes.
• Campbell made saves on the first five Wright State shots on goal, but the sixth resulted in a goal in the 58^th minute. Eric Lynch shot from 30 yards out and sneaked it past the keeper, hitting the lower back of the net. Peguy Ngatcha received credit for the assist.
• The Crusaders had a chance to equalize in the 83^rd minute off a corner kick, but Wright State goalkeeper Joel Sundell made a diving save on Omar Lawrence’s shot on goal.  The Crusaders continued to threaten in the 84^th minute, but two shots were blocked in a 30 second span.  
• Jackson Dietrich allowed the Raiders to pull away in the 87^th minute, scoring on an assist by Eric Lynch. Dietrich shot from 30 yards out and put it past an outstretched Campbell.

Inside the Match

• Campbell finished with seven saves, his highest total of the season. The last time he had more than six was a 1-1 tie with Belmont on Oct. 24, 2015, when Campbell made eight saves in 110 minutes.
• Eight of Valpo’s 11 corner kicks came in the final 8:05 of the match.
• The Raiders outshot the Crusaders 20-15 and placed nine shots on goal. Valpo finished with just three shots on goal.
• Kendan Anderson fired off six shots, the most of any Crusader.
• After the match ended, Valpo needed anything other than a draw between Milwaukee and Cleveland State to reach the conference tournament. Milwaukee’s Evan Dujardin scored at 89:35 to allow the Crusaders to claim a spot in the tournament.

Next Up

The Crusaders (10-5-3, 4-3-2) turn their attention to the Horizon League Tournament for a first-round road fixture with Milwaukee (8-7-2, 5-3-1) at 7 p.m. Central Time. Links to live coverage will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.