Sunday, October 05, 2003

Valparaiso's men's soccer team had an offensive outburst for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon, and as a result the Crusaders tallied their first victory of the season, 3-2 over Centenary, at Eastgate Field.

Valpo's three goals equal the total number scored in their first nine matches of the year combined.

Owen Hoyt (Spring Grove, Ill./Prairie Ridge H.S.) put Valpo in front 14:50 into the match after taking a lob from Chris Goss (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview H.S.) that Gents goalkeeper Stefan Nicola misplayed and scored from five yards out.

The Crusaders added to their lead 3:39 into the second half as Jon Brighton (Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County H.S.) scored his first career tally after a give-and-go with Sean Marshall (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest H.S.).

Centenary cut the lead in half at the 54:44 mark as Jason Williams took a feed from Alexander Smith and lobbed the ball over Valpo keeper Jeff Oleck (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) from about 20 yards out.

Valpo's Adam Newell (Indianapolis, Ind./Center Grove H.S.) added what would prove to be the match-winner at the 74:15 mark after taking a Mickey Miller II (Tulsa, Okla./Bartlesville H.S.) cross and beating Nicola.

Joseph Sidaros brought Centenary back within one with 2:32 remaining heading home a Garret Pickard pass, but that would be as close as the Gents would get.

Oleck made six saves in net for the Brown and Gold while Nicola made four stops for the Gents.

Centenary (1-9-1, 0-2-1 Mid-Con) outshot Valpo 18-9 for the match, but the Crusaders held a 9-8 advantage on goal.

Valparaiso (1-7-2, 1-1) will return to action on Friday evening when the Crusaders travel to Tulsa, Okla. to play their third straight Mid-Con match. Kickoff against Oral Roberts is slated for 8 p.m.