A goal scored in the 15^th minute would be the difference in the match, as the Crusader fell 1-0 to #24 Milwaukee. The Crusaders played well enough to take at least a point from the match, and were certainly unlucky not to.

The Crusaders looked sharp early on in the game - the team was able to connect passes through the Panther defense and create quality chances early. In the first 10 minutes of the game, the Crusaders were able to take three shots with one on goal. In the 8^th minute, Daniel Killen (Brooklyn Park, Minn./St. Bernard’s) and Zev Taublieb (Malibu, Calif./Agoura) linked up in the midfield for a chance. Killen received a short pass from Taublieb and was able play to the ball back to Taublieb as he made his run toward goal. Taublieb controlled the ball and fired a low shot to the left corner but Panther goalkeeper Liam Anderson was able to make the save and keep the match even at 0-0.

Minutes later, the Crusaders were unlucky to conceded the first goal of the match. In the 15^th minute, the Crusader defense was able to deal with the initial ball served into the area by the Panthers, but the clearance would fall to Luke Goodnetter, who was able to volley the ball out of the air and into the top left corner of the Valpo goal. Although Goodnetter’s wonder-strike came against the run of play, it put the Panthers up 1-0.

After conceding the goal, the Crusaders continued to pressure the Panthers and create quality chances. Nick Suker (Downers Grove, Ill./South) was able to serve several dangerous balls into the Panther penalty area, but the chances he created would go begging as they missed the final touch needed to level the game at 1-1.

In the second half, Valpo pushed numbers forward in hopes of finding the equalizer. Much like the first half, the services were there but the Crusader men unable to finish their chances. Jordan Aidoud (Lyon, France/CEFAM) and Zane Wold (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Mounds Park Academy) created several great chances by serving balls into the penalty area.

With the Crusaders pressing in search of a goal, Milwaukee was able to get in on several counter attack opportunities but Tom Serratore (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) and the rest of the Crusader defense were able to deal with Milwaukee’s chances and give the team an opportunity to tie the match late. Serratore finished the night with six saves. Unable to find an equalizer late, the Crusaders would fall 1-0 to the Panthers.

Valparaiso (3-4-5) returns to action this Wednesday, October 16. The Crusaders travel to Lexington, Ky. to take on the Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Live stats for the match will be available through ValpoAthletics.com.