Two goals in the first ten minutes of the match was more than enough for DePaul as the Blue Demons defeated Valparaiso 3-1 on a cold, rainy Friday afternoon at Eastgate Field.
The visitors wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Christy Young scored through traffic from the top of the penalty area at the 4:58 mark.
Krissy Seberhagen made the score 2-0 at 9:54 of the first half as she took a Bren Sugarman pass and converted, beating Kristen Templin (Madison, Wis./Middleton H.S.).
Margo Sackmaster added the Blue Demons third goal in the 23rd minute of play, taking advantage of a turnover and scoring from 20 yards out.
DePaul controlled play throughout most of the opening half, outshooting Valpo 9-1.
The Crusaders lone goal came with just 1:02 remaining in the contest as Emily King (Colona, Ill./United Township H.S.) tallied her third marker of the season, converting on a penalty kick.
Valpo had several other opportunities in the second half as they outshot the Blue Demons 8-1 in the second frame, evening up shots at ten for the match.
Templin made two first half saves for the Brown and Gold, while Danielle Guerra (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) made one stop in the second half.
Lindsey Deason was forced to make just one save in the first half for DePaul (9-7), while Megan Pekala pushed aside three Crusader scoring attempts in the second stanza.
Valparaiso (5-9-1) will return to action on Sunday afternoon when the Crusaders host Butler. Kickoff is slated for noon at Eastgate Field.