A spirited second-half effort from the Valparaiso University women’s soccer team wasn’t quite enough to turn around a one-goal halftime deficit, as the Crusaders dropped a 1-0 decision Friday afternoon at Western Michigan.

Key Moment

Western Michigan’s Tiffany Buckler found the back of the net in the 40th minute for the game’s lone goal.

How It Happened

• Western Michigan controlled the game over the opening 45 minutes, out-shooting Valpo 13-1 – including a 7-0 advantage in shots on goal – and earning four corner kicks versus none for the Crusaders.
• Junior goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) kept the game scoreless through most of the first half, making a number of saves. But the Broncos converted on their 12th shot of the half, as Buckler found the bottom-left corner of goal from 15 yards out.
• Valpo turned the game around in the second half, out-shooting WMU 7-4 and putting three shots on goal, but was unable to crack the scoreboard as the Broncos closed out the 1-0 win.

Inside the Match

• Western Michigan finished the match with a 17-8 edge in shot attempts and a 6-2 advantage in corners.
• Moulton surrendered just the lone goal as she stopped eight shots for the Crusaders. The eight saves marked the second-best effort of her career in goal.
• Junior Cory Griffith (Lemont, Ill./Providence Catholic) led the Crusaders with three shot attempts.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich

"Our decision making and individual defending in the first half weren't at the level we need it to be at to be successful. We had a good halftime session and came out in the second half much better, attacking the game with the right mentality."

"I thought that Cory, Sydney [Gountounas] and Anna [Eksten] came out today with the mentality we need to be successful, and their performances reflected that."

"I felt we were maybe a bit unfortunate to not find the equalizer in the second half. But if we can take the lessons learned from today and apply them moving forward into Sunday, if we come out and play the full 90 minutes like we did the second half today, we'll continue to improve."

Next Up

Valpo (5-4-0) faces its final test before the start of conference play on Sunday, as the Crusaders travel to Toledo for a noon CT kickoff. Live stats and live video through ESPN3 will be available via ValpoAthletics.com.