Extra time looked a near certainty Saturday night as the Valparaiso University women’s soccer team opened Missouri Valley Conference play at Missouri State, but junior Kelsey Jahn (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) made sure that 90 minutes would be enough, as she found the back of the net with just 27 seconds to play in regulation to give the Crusaders all three points in a 1-0 victory.

How It Happened

• Valpo enjoyed the better of play in the first half, out-shooting Missouri State 9-5. Junior goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) made a nice stop on a one-on-one chance in the 10th minute to keep the Bears off the board early.
• The Crusaders’ best first-half chance came off the foot of junior Cory Griffith (Lemont, Ill./Providence Catholic), whose effort in the 41st minute ricocheted off the post as the match went into halftime at nil-nil.
• Valpo raised the offensive intensity in the second half, peppering the Missouri State defense with 16 shots and earning six corner kicks.
• Finally, as the clock approached the 90-minute mark, the Crusaders were able to break through. Junior Sydney Griffin (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale [New Hampshire]) – who had just come back on the pitch less than three minutes earlier – crossed the ball into the box, where Jahn gathered the pass and knocked it home from 10 yards out for the match-winner.

Inside the Match

• In the 46th match of her Crusader career, Jahn picked a great time for her first goal in a Valpo uniform.
• Jahn’s match-winner was the latest in a regulation win for Valpo since Dana McGlone scored with just 12 seconds remaining in a 1-0 win over Fort Wayne on Sept. 14, 2008.
• Griffin picked up her second assist of the season on the match-winner. The junior now owns 10 points on the year, tied for team-high honors with Griffith.
• Griffith recorded 10 shot attempts Saturday night, tied for third-most in a single match in program history and just one shy of the program’s single-match record of 11 shots.
• Led by Griffith’s efforts at goal, Valpo out-shot Missouri State on Saturday night by a 25-12 margin.
• Moulton stopped seven shots – her second-highest save total of the year – in earning the clean sheet, her third of the season. The junior now owns a 4-1-0 record in goal in 2017.
• Valpo is a perfect 6-0-0 on the year when scoring at least one goal.
• The Crusaders are now 5-1-1 over the last seven seasons in their conference opener, and have won each of their last four road openers in league play.

Next Up

Valpo (6-5-0, 1-0-0 MVC) steps out of conference play for the final time Thursday night at Brown Field, as the Crusaders host Chicago State for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.