A pair of Valparaiso University incoming freshmen, Jackie Thomas (KC Dynamos) and Laura Murphy (Eclipse, Ill.), advanced to the United States Youth Soccer Region 2 U-18 Girls' Championship on June 29 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The match was tied at one after regulation and headed into overtime, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Thomas and the KC Dynamos earned the victory 4-2 in penalty kicks and advanced to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Tournament to be held in Orlando, Fla. from July 26-31.

The duo will play for the Crusaders this fall, and join seven other rookies on head coach Stephen Anthony's squad.