The Valparaiso University women’s soccer team poured on the pressure in the second half of its Horizon League fixture Wednesday night at Brown Field against UIC, and ultimately made it pay, as the Crusaders found the back of the net twice in the final 16 minutes of a 3-1 win over the Flames.
Level at 1-1 after a fairly even first half, Valpo came out with a vengeance over the final 45 minutes. The Crusaders out-shot UIC in the second half 16-1, placing eight shots on goal, and also earned three corner kicks as well.
“It’s great to get three pts for sure, especially when you’re at home,” said Crusader head coach John Marovich. “I like how we responded to the adversity we faced in the first half, when we gave the goal back almost immediately – we didn’t allow it to affect us moving forward into the second half. The last 45 minutes, we did a much better job with our defensive shape, won a lot more balls in the middle of the park, and connected on a lot more passes.”
A couple nice saves from UIC goalkeeper Kelly Fritz, including a lunging effort on a dipping shot from Rita Craven (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) early in the second half which looked destined for the top-right corner, kept the game tied at 1-1. But that would finally change in the 75th minute of play.
Following a stoppage for a UIC yellow card, redshirt junior Shelby Oelschlager (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge) lined up a free kick from the left side, 55 yards out. Oelschlager sent a bomb into the box which went untouched past the back line and ended up at the back post with redshirt sophomore Vanesa Abad (Barrington, Ill./Lake Zurich [Ohio State]). Abad, just outside the six-yard box, took a header off a bounce and sent it far post past Fritz to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead.
Valpo would add an insurance goal late as well to secure the win in the 88th minute. Junior April Cronin (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) possessed the ball in the center of the field outside the 18-yard box and flicked it over towards the left side, where Abad was making a run. The sophomore ran onto the pass and then simply tapped it back towards the center of the pitch. Redshirt freshman Jordon Tindell (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) came in unmarked and beat Fritz from the middle of the box, 15 yards out, for her first career goal.
“UIC has some nice players, players who fight really hard and put you under pressure,” said Marovich. “For us to have that kind of second half against some of those players is pretty impressive. Their goalkeeper is very good as well, and I felt she made a couple really nice saves tonight.”
An even first half resulted in a 1-1 halftime score after both sides scored in a 54-second span. Valpo claimed the lead in the 28th minute as a pair of seniors teamed up. Craven sent a ball from midfield down the right sideline, where Jenny Fassbinder (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) beat the Flames’ backs to the ball. Meanwhile, Fritz came off her line to look to clear it, but ended up caught in between near the top of the box, and Fassbinder calmly chipped the UIC keeper from the right side, about 20 yards from goal. The senior’s effort settled into the back of the net for her first goal of the season. But the Flames would respond in the 29th minute, as Naomi Rushe hit Olivia Everin, who finished for her third goal of the year from 15 yards out to the far post.
“I thought that Vanesa’s goal was huge, obviously,” said Marovich. “That came directly from something we talked about in video, and she followed through on the play, found that space at the back post and finished. Jordon did a nice job filling in during the second half – she was really active, did well getting forward and it was nice to see her rewarded for her hard work with her first career goal. Then I thought Jenny was impressive out wide tonight as well. She found some really creative ways to get in and play at the UIC defense, and was maybe unfortunate not to get another goal or an assist for everything she created down the right-hand side.”
Both sides took four shots apiece in the first half before the Crusaders’ dominance in the second half, as Valpo ended the night with a 20-5 edge in shots. The Crusaders totaled 12 shots on goal, with Fritz making nine saves for UIC (2-8-1, 0-2-0 Horizon). Valpo also attempted all five of the match’s corner kicks.
“I come out of tonight happy for our team – three points in Horizon League play is always a big thing,” said Marovich. “Then also tonight, we were proud to be able to participate in Go4TheGoal’s Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer campaign by wearing gold laces. I’m pleased we’re able to give back to the community, raise money to help fight pediatric cancer and also provide a good win for everyone to witness tonight.”
Valparaiso (4-3-3, 2-0-1 Horizon) looks to continue its push towards the top of the Horizon League table Saturday evening, as the Crusaders hit the road to play at Oakland. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT, with live video available on ESPN3.com. Links for the live video, as well as live stats, will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.