Friday, October 13, 2006

A penalty kick goal for both Valparaiso and Centenary proved to be the only scoring on Friday night as the Crusaders and Ladies battled to a 1-1 double-overtime tie in Mid-Continent Conference play down in Shreveport, La.

The two schools played a scoreless first 45 minutes despite the Brown and Gold holding a 5-3 shot advantage.

Jackie Thomas (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest H.S.) put Valpo in front just 4:49 into the second stanza with a penalty kick goal, her fourth tally of the season.

Centenary (4-9-1, 0-3-1 Mid-Con) went a player down due to a red card in the 60th minute, but the Crusaders were unable to find the back of the net again on this night.

The Ladies tied the match with a penalty kick goal off the foot of Joanna Bunn with 17:27 to play, and the contest would remain 1-1 through two overtime periods.

Valpo outshot Centenary 16-6, including a 7-3 advantage on goal, while holding a 10-0 edge in corner kick opportunities. Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made two stops for the Crusaders while Ali Hilsher made four saves for the Ladies.

The overtime contest for the Brown and Gold was Valpo's 13th straight without a defeat. The Crusaders are 6-0-7 in overtime contests during the span dating back to the 2003 season.

Valparaiso (11-3-1, 3-0-1) will remain in Shreveport for a neutral site match on Sunday morning against McNeese State. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.