Box Score

                Dana McGlone (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.) scored on a free kick out with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation to give Valparaiso a 1-0 victory over IPFW on Sunday afternoon in a driving rain storm in Fort Wayne, Ind.

                McGlone set up for the free kick 25 yards out on the right side of the Mastodon goal and sent the ball in toward the six, only to have it carry everyone into the goal for her first tally of the season, improving Valparaiso to 5-1-1 overall on the season.  The Crusaders are now unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five contests.

                I am really proud with how we handled the conditions today as the field conditions continued to deteriorate,” head coach John Marovich said.  “We did a good job passing and possessing the ball and kept working.  We finally got something on a set piece.”

                Valpo held a 12-8 advantage on shots in the match, including a 6-3 edge in the first 45 minutes when the rain was the heaviest.  Mele Cabral (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) made four saves for the Crusaders on the way to her fifth shutout on the season, while moving into a tie for second all-time with Amy Cavanaugh (1996-1999) with seven career clean sheets.

                “Mele was great today,” added Marovich.  “She handled some difficult balls in these weather conditions.”

                There were just five corner kick opportunities in the match, with Valpo having three of them.  Kristen McFadden made six saves for IPFW (0-7) as the Mastodons looked for their first result of the season.

                Valparaiso will return to action on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders host Central Michigan.  Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Eastgate Field with all the action carried live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpoathletics.com.

Match Notes: Valpo’s 5-1-1 start is the best through seven matches in school history … the previous best was 5-2 in 2006 … this was Valpo’s fifth 1-0 match of the season (4-1) … the Crusaders, and Cabral, have allowed just two goals on the year, a 0.27 goals against average … Cabral’s fifth shutout of the season ties her for third on Valpo’s single season charts, one behind Erin Murray’s record of six set in 2004 and 2007 … McGlone’s match-winner was the second of her career and first since her freshman season … her previous match-winner came on her first collegiate goal in her debut against Murray State … Valpo is now 5-2-1 all-time against IPFW … the Crusaders are a perfect 4-0 against schools from the Hoosier State this season.