Allison Swanson's (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley H.S.) goal in the 18th minute proved to be the difference as Valparaiso registered a 1-0 non-conference victory over North Dakota State on a rainy Friday afternoon at Eastgate Field.

Swanson scored the unassisted goal after picking up a loose ball at the top of the box and shooting through a screen to beat Bison goalkeeper Katie Stombaugh at the 17:06 mark.

Neither team could find the back of the goal the rest of the way and Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made four saves in recording her second career shutout for the Crusaders. Stombaugh made two stops for North Dakota State.

North Dakota State (3-5-1) outshot the Crusaders 12-6 for the match and earned eight corner kicks to Valpo's three.

Valparaiso (4-6-1) will look to continue its winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a 12 p.m. CDT match against Oakland in Rochester, Mich.