Saturday, October 08, 2005

Nate Hyde (South Bend, Ind./Clay) scored an unassisted goal in the 55th minute to give Valpo their third straight win, 1-0 over Oakland Saturday in Rochester, Mich.

The Crusaders had just three shots in the match, easily their lowest total of the season, but Hyde's first goal since 2002 was enough to put Valpo in the win column again. The Brown and Gold have won three straight matches for the first time since 2000 and back-to-back conference matches for the first time since 1999.

On the defensive end, Jeff Oleck made nine saves for his third straight shutout, the school record-tying 12th of his career. Aaron Rhame also had 12 shutouts from 1995-98.

The Golden Grizzlies (4-6, 1-1 Mid-Con) mustered 20 shots, 13 on goal, including six shots from Chris Edwards, and could not convert on 10 corners.

With the win, Valpo (4-6, 2-1 Mid-Con) goes over .500 in league play for the first time since 2002, also the last time they reached the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament.

The Crusaders return to action Wednesday, October 12 at Eastgate Field for a non-conference match against Detroit, scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. Valpo will resume conference play next Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. to take on preseason conference favorite Oral Roberts.