Men’s Soccer Gains Fourth Straight Victory
Senior Isaiah Madrid (Albuquerque, N.M. / Eldorado [FGCU]) remained a goal-scoring machine on Monday night, scoring in the 25th minute to help the Valparaiso University men’s soccer team stay red hot with a 1-0 win over Omaha.
How It Happened
- The lone goal of the match came on a penalty kick, as Madrid converted at the 24:35 mark of the first half to snap a scoreless stalemate. A foul by Omaha inside the 18-yard box set up the PK.
- The best opportunity for the Mavericks came in the waning moments of the match. Omaha took a corner kick at 88:53, setting up a header shot by Elvir Ibisevic that was saved by Valpo goalkeeper Nico Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica / St. George’s College).
- Campbell was credited with five saves to earn the win and improve to 6-2-2.
- The Mavericks outshot the Crusaders 19-5, but the Valpo defense stood tall. Omaha placed five shots on goal, while the only Valpo shot on goal was the Madrid penalty kick.
Inside the Match
- Madrid now has seven goals and 17 points this season. He leads the team in both categories.
- The shutout was the 18th of Campbell’s career, moving him into sole possession of second place in program history. Valpo’s all-time leader in career shutouts in Kyle Zobeck (2008-2012) with 23.
- The Crusaders have not allowed a goal in any of their last three matches and have strung together a four-match winning streak, their longest of the season.
Thoughts from Head Coach Mike Avery
“It was a gutsy effort from the team tonight, and we are all very excited to have been able to hang on. Omaha is a good team, they hadn't lost at home this season, and it was all we could do to weather the storm at the end. They pinned us in with long throws and tons of service into our box, but Nico Campbell is one of the best goalkeepers in the country and our defense played bravely.”
“We played a tough game less than 48 hours ago, had to turn around and travel with a smaller than usual group, sat a few key guys out to protect them for the coming league games, and we were still able to deal with all that and grind out a positive result against a very good team. There's a lot here for our guys to feel good about.”
“Our focus now is on an early flight home, class and rest. We will get back together later this week and dig into our preparation for another big game Saturday night with Milwaukee.”
Anderson Earns Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week
Valparaiso University men’s soccer senior Kendan Anderson (Portmore, Jamaica/St. George's College [South Florida/ASA College]) has been named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two match-winning goals last week.
Anderson scored in the 16th minute of his regular season Valpo debut on Tuesday, a 3-0 victory over Eastern Illinois. He later provided an assist on a goal by Isaiah Madrid in the 68th minute.
As an encore, Anderson notched his second goal in as many matches in the fourth minute of his first regular season appearance at Brown Field on Saturday, a 1-0 victory over Oakland.
Anderson, a transfer from South Florida, missed the first seven matches of the regular season with an injury. Despite having only made two appearances, he is tied for second on the team with five points and two goals. He totaled nine shots during the week, placing three on goal.
The Crusaders face a quick turnaround after Saturday’s win as they return to the pitch on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Omaha. Links to live video, audio and stats are available on ValpoAthletics.com.
Valpo Swimmers Kick Off Season Sunday
The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s swimming teams began their 2016-17 season on Sunday, opening up at the Butler Double Dual, which brought teams from Butler, Xavier, Saint Louis, Western Illinois and Wright State. The Crusaders had two swimmers earn individual top-five finishes: senior Rachel Law (Wayne, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) and freshman Dylan Ogle (Simpsonville, S.C./Mauldin).
How It Happened
- Law began her senior slate with an impressive third-place finish in the women’s 1000-yard freestyle event with a time of 11:08.00. She enters the season with top times in five individual events from a year ago.
- Making his Crusader debut, Ogle swam his way to a fourth-place finish in the men’s 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:57.05. The time was the eighth-fastest by a Valpo swimmer in program history.
- The women’s 200-yard medley relay team of freshman Tara Lawson (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein), senior Emily Trimpe (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine), freshman Erica Martins (Hartland, Wis./Lake County Lutheran) and freshman Paige Wright (Surprise, Ariz./Paradise Honor) garnered a top-10 finish in the event with a time of 1:54.11. The team surpassed last season’s top mark of 1:55.84.
- Freshman Peyton Stambeck (Bartlesville, Okla./Bartlesville) finished the men’s 100-yard freestyle with a top-10 mark of 48.91 for the Crusaders in his debut.
Next Up
Valpo continues action on Saturday, Oct. 15, as they host fellow Horizon League member Green Bay. The meet is set to begin at 3 p.m. CT at the ARC pool.
Aggie Invitational Underway for Women’s Golf
The Valparaiso University women’s golf team competed in the first round of the Aggie Invitational hosted by New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M. on Monday. Sophomore Madison McCreary (Batesville, Ind. / Batesville) shot a career-best 74 to lead the Crusaders.
How It Happened
- McCreary is tied for eighth individually after her round of two over par.
- Senior Angie Kim (Schaumburg, Ill. / Fremd) turned in a 79 (+7) to rank second among Valpo golfers. She is tied for 35th overall.
- Sophomore Kyle Shoemake (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central) and freshman Kayla Krueger (Spring Lake, Mich. / Spring Lake) both carded an 82 (+10) on the event’s opening day to tie for 45th after one round.
- Junior Katie Willenbrink (Mishawaka, Ind. / Penn) finished one stroke in back of Shoemake and Krueger. Willenbrink is tied for 51st.
Inside the Rounds
- McCreary got her day off to a favorable start by notching a birdie on the second hole.
- Willenbrink accounted for Valpo’s other birdie by completing a par-5 12th hole in four strokes.
- McCreary, who entered the tournament averaging 82.25, met par on a team-best 14 holes.
Next Up
The Crusaders will tee off Round 2 of the Aggie Invitational on Tuesday morning. The tournament continues through Wednesday. A link to live stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
Valpo Rounds Out Marquette Intercollegiate
The Valparaiso University men’s golf team finished out competition at the Marquette Intercollegiate at Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills, Wis. on Monday. The Crusaders were led by Peter Webb (Madison, Wis. / James Madison Memorial) and Ross Lazar (Okemos, Mich. / Okemos), both of whom scored a 75 in the third round of the tournament.
How It Happened
- After posting an 80 in Round 1 and an 83 in Round 2, Lazar enjoyed his best round of the tournament. He finished with a 54-hole score of 238 (+28), fourth on the team and 63rd overall.
- Webb bounced back after stroking a 77 in the second round with his 75 in Round 3. He finished the tournament at 226 (+16), tied for 49th overall.
- Mitchell Wittmann (Kaukauna, Wis. / Kaukuna) posted a 76 on Monday to finish the event at a team-best 225 (+15). He tied for 47th place in the tournament.
- Junior Zach Cutler (O’Fallon, Mo. / Timberland) had his best round of the tournament on Monday, stroking a 76. He finished the event at 234, placing 63rd.
- Adam Baracani (Normal, Ill. / University) carded an 84 on Monday and finished the tournament at 239, while Matthew McCarthy (O’Fallon, Ill. / Althoff Catholic), who was competing individually, turned in an 80 and also finished at 239.
Inside the Rounds
- Webb led the Crusaders with five birdies in the tournament, while Baracani, Cutler, Wittmann, Lazar and McCarthy turned in four apiece.
- The team score of 302 in the third round was Valpo’s best round of the tournament. The Crusaders finished the event with a team score of 915 (+75) in 10th place in a 10-team field.
Thoughts from Head Coach Dave Gring
"The tournament was held on one of the most exclusive golf courses in the Midwest and it was a terrific experience for our guys to play such a challenging golf course. The tournament had a ‘mini’ NCAA Regional type of feel, when you consider teams from all over the country, like UCLA, SMU, Ole Miss, Seton Hall and more. Playing against these type of schools is invaluable and it will benefit us well as the season progresses."
"We had our struggles with the back nine holes on this course and we had a hard time overcoming that in all three of our rounds. We played the back nine +56, while the front nine was +19, when figuring the scores that we counted each round. Our birdie production was poor and we have to find ways to simply get the ball closer to the hole in regulation."
"While Mitchell and Pete scored fairly consistent for us, we need to have more rounds at and below par from the entire team. The guys continue to have a good attitude and they are certainly putting the effort in on the golf course. We will look forward to a couple more weeks of good practice, as we prepare for our final fall tournament at Dayton."
Next Up
The Crusaders will return to the course on Oct. 17-18 with the Dayton Flyer Invitational at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio.
Qualifying Begins at ITA Men’s All-American
After the completion of pre-qualifying over the weekend, the qualifying round of the ITA Men’s All-American Championships cranked up on Monday in Tulsa, Okla. The Valparaiso University men’s tennis team was represented by Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) in singles and the doubles team of Schorsch and Charlie Emhardt (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel).
How It Happened
- Schorsch found himself with his back against the wall after dropping the first set 6-3. He bounced back by escaping with a 7-6 win in Set 2, but then Moundir pulled away with a 6-2 triumph in Set 3 to punch his ticket to the second round of qualifying.
- In the doubles bracket, Emhardt and Schorsch also dropped their match on Monday, succumbing to USC’s tandem of Thibault Forget and Logan Smith. The match took three sets to complete. Emhardt and Schorsch stayed alive with a 6-4 win in Set 2 after being on the other end of a 6-4 outcome in the opening set. However, Thibault and Smith prevailed in the decisive third set.
Next Up
The Oracle/ITA Masters will be held in Malibu, Calif. from Oct. 13-16 with Jeffrey Schorsch slated to represent Valpo. In addition, the Crusader Indoor Invitational will take place at the Courts of NWI from Oct. 14-16.
Griffith Named Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week
Valparaiso University women’s soccer sophomore Cory Griffith (Lemont, Ill./Providence Catholic) has been named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week after scoring a pair of match-winning goals last week and in the process matching a program record.
Griffith opened the week, one which featured a pair of Horizon League matches for the Crusaders, with a brilliant goal to give Valpo just its second all-time win over Milwaukee. The sophomore took a pass from Morgan Manzke (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) in the attacking third, cut it back inside into the box, and then took advantage of a bit of space between two defenders to strike a shot from 15 yards that rifled in under the crossbar in the 99th minute for the golden goal in a 2-1 win.
Then, on Saturday, following a scoreless first half it was Griffith who put the Crusaders on the scoreboard in the 59th minute with a finish off a feed from Adi Johnson (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Christian) – a goal that would stand up as the match-winner in a 2-0 Valpo victory. With her pair of match-winners last week, Griffith now owns four match-winning goals this season, tying a Crusader single-season record held by multiple former players.
Griffith and the rest of the Crusaders continue Horizon League play this Saturday evening on the road at Wright State.
Next Up
The Crusaders (6-2-2, 3-0-1) return home to resume Horizon League play against Milwaukee on Saturday. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN3, WatchESPN and the ESPN app, and heard live on WVUR (95.1 FM, Valparaiso). Links for the live video and audio, as well as live stats, will be available via ValpoAthletics.com.
Nominations Being Accepted for Valparaiso Athletics Hall of Fame
Nominations are open through Tuesday, October 11 to be included in the pool of candidates for the Valparaiso University Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Former student-athletes whose last season of competition was 2010-11 or earlier are eligible to be nominated.
Nominations are accepted year-round. However, to be included among this year’s candidates, nominations will need to be submitted by October 11.
Former athletes, coaches, administrators and support personnel at Valparaiso University are eligible for nomination to the Athletics Hall of Fame, as well as former students who have had outstanding careers in athletics-related fields after leaving Valpo. Individuals are eligible for nomination five years after completing their eligibility at Valpo and teams are eligible for nomination 10 years after the season in which they excelled.Current University employees may be nominated after a minimum of 20 years of service to the University, while former employees with less than 20 years of service may be nominated five years after completion of their tenure.
Nominations should include the nominee’s name, sport(s) and year(s) of participation along with support information explaining what distinguishes the nominee for the Hall of Fame. Nominations can be e-mailed to Aaron.Leavitt@valpo.edu. They can also be faxed to 219.464.5762.
Nominations received after October 11 will be included in the pool for the Class of 2018.
Crusaders Complete Second Round of Aggie Invite
The Valparaiso University women’s golf team participated in the second round of the Aggie Invitational on Tuesday in Las Cruces, N.M. Freshman Kayla Krueger (Spring Lake, Mich. / Spring Lake) turned in the best round of the day for the Crusaders by stroking an 80 (+8).
How It Happened
- The Crusaders posted a team score of 330 on the second day of competition and enter Wednesday’s final round with an overall team score of 647, in 10th place in the 10-team tournament.
- Krueger is at 162 through two rounds, tied for 40th in the tournament.
- Valpo is led by sophomore Madison McCreary (Batesville, Ind. / Batesville), who is tied for 25th overall with a 36-hole score of 162. McCreary finished with an 83 on Tuesday after establishing a new career watermark with a 74 in the first round on Monday.
- Senior Angie Kim (Schaumburg, Ill. / Fremd) carded an 84 in the second round. She sits in 43rd place overall at 163.
- Katie Willenbrink matched her score from Round 1 by posting an 83 on Tuesday. Her score of 166 through two rounds is tied for 51st overall with Valpo sophomore Kylie Shoemake (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central), who scored an 84 on Tuesday.
Inside the Rounds
- Valpo has seven birdies as a team, led by McCreary with three.
- The Crusaders have 89 pars as a team, tied for eighth in the event. Krueger has shot par on a team-high 21 holes, while Shoemake has added 19 pars.
- Host New Mexico State leads the tournament with a team score of 594 through two rounds, followed by South Dakota State at 600.
Next Up
The final round of the Aggie Invitational will commence on Wednesday morning at the New Mexico State University Golf Course in Las Cruces, N.M. A link to live stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
