Match #17: Friday, Oct. 20, 3 p.m. CDT
IUPUI (5-5-5, 1-1-2 Mid-Con) at Valpo (11-3-2, 3-0-1 Mid-Con)

This Week in Crusader Soccer: Valparaiso enjoys a week with just one match for the first time all season as the Crusaders host IUPUI in a key Mid-Continent Conference match on Friday at Eastgate Field in a battle of the top two defensive teams in the league. Valpo currently leads the Mid-Con with ten points, one ahead of Oakland.

On the Air: Friday's match against the Jaguars will be broadcast live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.

Series Notes: Valparaiso holds a 4-3-1 edge all-time against IUPUI in a series that dates back to the 1998 season. Last year, the Crusaders defeated the Jaguars 2-0 down in Indianapolis. Valpo is 2-2 at Eastgate Field against IUPUI.

Scouting IUPUI: The Jaguars are battling for a spot in the upcoming Mid-Continent Conference Tournament after dropping a 1-0 decision at home to Western Illinois last Saturday. The loss ended a streak of four straight ties for IUPUI. The Jaguars lead the Mid-Con in shutouts, having blanked six opponents thus far this season, and trail just Valpo in fewest goals allowed, surrendering 13 in 15 contests to date. In goal, Jamie Farrell has posted a 0.40 goals against average in nearly 900 minutes of action. Offensively, Angie Pilat and Emily Hicks lead the way for IUPUI with four goals and an assist each for nine total points.

Wrapping Up Last Week's Action: The Crusaders played their fifth and sixth overtime matches of the season last week, but after 110 minutes of action in each contest had to settle for a pair of draws. On Friday, the Crusaders got a penalty kick goal from Jackie Thomas in the 50th minutes, but surrendered a penalty kick goal of their own in the 73rd minute on the way to a 1-1 conference draw at Centenary. Sunday in neutral site action, Valpo and McNeese State held each other scoreless through the two overtimes. Erin Murray recorded her third shutout of the season for the Brown and Gold.

Valpo Looking to Set School Victory Mark this Weekend: A victory over IUPUI would tie Valparaiso's school record for wins in a season. Valpo's current 11-3-2 record trails just the 2005 team's win total from the 12-8 campaign. The Crusaders have two regular season contests plus the Mid-Con Tournament to play.

A Record-Setting Overtime: When the Crusaders played their sixth overtime match of the season Sunday in Shreveport against McNeese State, Valpo equalled the school record for extra session matches in a season set by the 1998 squad with six. The Brown and Gold have fared much better than the 1998 team though, going 4-0-2, compared with a 1-4-1 result eight years ago.

More Success in Overtime: Valpo has needed extra time for four victories this season, but continued to have success in overtime. The Crusaders are unbeaten in overtime in their last 14 contests (6-0-8) dating back to 2003.

Road Warriors: Valpo concluded its road campaign with the most successful travel season in school history. The Brown and Gold finished the regular season on the road with a 7-1-1 mark, bettering the old school record of five wins set by the 2001 squad (5-3).

Murray Continues to Post Shutouts: Erin Murray continues to keep opponents off of the scoreboard after shutting out McNeese State on Sunday afternoon. The junior now has registered three shutouts this season and continues to increase the school mark with 14 in her nearly three-year stint with the Brown and Gold.

A Scoring Defender: Jackie Thomas tallied her fourth goal of the season, on a penalty kick, against Centenary despite leading the Crusader defense. The sophomore only registered five shots total as a rookie.

Brown and Johnson Among Scoring Elite: Sophomore Kendall Brown has moved among the top all-time in goal scoring. With five goals this season, Brown now has 15 for her career, tying Elizabeth Tatro (1993-1996) for fourth place all-time on the school list. She trails Lisa Springs (1998-2001) by three goals all-time. Teammate Lori Johnson's 11 career markers rank her tied for sixth all-time with Lindsay Holley (2001-2004).

McGlone and Bartels Tied for Seventh on All-Time Assist Charts: Dana McGlone and Jen Bartels have each moved into a tie for seventh place on Valpo's career assist list. The pair each have seven during their career wearing the Brown and Gold.

Jewell's Seven Goals Tied for Sixth Most in a Single Season: Sarah Jewell's seven markers this season are tied for sixth most in school history on the single season list for the Crusaders.

Murphy Needs One Assist to Move into a Tie for Second: With her next assist this season, Laura Murphy will move into a tie for second place all-time on the Crusaders single season assist list. She enters this weekend with four already on the year.

Jewell and Johnson Among Mid-Con Best in Scoring: Freshman Sarah Jewell leads the Mid-Continent Conference in scoring on the season with 16 total points. She is also tied for the league lead in goals with seven markers in her rookie season. Teammate Lori Johnson is tied for third in goals with five, but leads the league in match-winners, having sent the Crusaders home happy four times already this year.

Murray Having Stellar Season: Junior netminder Erin Murray has posted a 0.71 goals against average in 1269 minutes of play this season. She has allowed just 10 goals during the span, saving shots at an .836 rate. Valpo's single season record for GAA currently is 1.35, set by Murray last season.

Scoring Already Among Best All-Time at Valpo: The 33 goals Valpo has already scored this season is tied for second all-time and the Crusaders are on the verge of setting a new school mark. The 2004 team also scored 33 goals while the 2005 squad holds the school mark with 36 tallies. The 25 assists on the year are third most in school history for a team, trailing just the 2004 (27) and 2005 (29) teams.

Longest Win Streak in School History Set This Season: Valpo's eight-match winning streak from September 8 through October 1 was the longest in school history, bettering the mark set by the 2000 squad of six consecutive victories.

Four Crusaders Earn Mid-Con Honors this Season: Valpo has had four Mid-Continent Conference Athlete of the Week selections thus far this season. Kendall Brown (Sept. 11) and Jessie White (Oct. 2) have each earned Offensive accolades while Erin Murray (Sept. 18) and Jackie Thomas (Sept. 25) have been honored for the Defensive award.

Valpo Picked Third in Preseason Poll: The Crusaders were selected third in the Mid-Continent Conference preseason poll conducted of the league's head coaches. Valpo earned two first place votes but finished one point behind Oral Roberts in the race for second. Oakland is the preseason favorite.