Complete PDF Notes

Match #6: Friday, Sept. 12, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Valpo (4-1, 0-0 Horizon)
at Northern Illinois (3-0-1, 0-0 MAC)
Match #7: Sunday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m. CDT
Valpo (4-1, 0-0 Horizon)
at IPFW (0-5, 0-0 Summit)

This Week in Crusader Soccer: Valparaiso looks to continue the best start in school history with a pair of road matches this weekend as the Crusaders head to DeKalb, Ill. to face Northern Illinois on Friday and Fort Wayne, Ind. to battle IPFW on Sunday.  Valpo’s 4-1 start is the best through five matches in program history.

On the Air: Neither of this weekend’s contests will be carried live online or on the radio.

Head Coach John Marovich: John Marovich is 4-1 in his first season overall and with the Crusaders after serving as an assistant for six years.

Series Notes: Northern Illinois has won all six previous meetings against Valpo, but the two schools have not face one another since the Huskies posted a 4-0 victory in DeKalb on October 10, 1997.  The two schools met initially in 1993, as the second match in Valpo’s inaugural season.  Valpo holds a 4-2-1 series advantage over IPFW dating back to the 2001 campaign.  Last year, the Crusaders notched a 4-0 victory over the Mastodons at Eastgate Field.

Scouting Northern Illinois: The Huskies have started the season unbeaten, 3-0-1, through their first four matches.  Northern Illinois is 2-0 at home with shutouts of Eastern Illinois and Georgia Southern.  Last Sunday, the Huskies battled Green Bay to a scoreless draw on the road.  Thea Johnson leads Northern Illinois in scoring with nine points (three goals and three assists).  In goal, Lindsey Curnock has a 0.46 goals against average and three shutouts.

Scouting IPFW: The Mastodons are still looking for their first victory of the season and will head to Central Michigan on Friday before hosting Valpo.  IPFW has not scored since the opener, a goal by Brittni Roy at Illinois State.  In goal, Meagan McLaughlin and Kristen McFadden have split time with McLaughlin posting a 2.33 goals against average and a .767 save percentage.

Wrapping Up Last Week’s Action: Kendall Brown picked up a clearing attempt and scored from 25 yards out 2:50 into the second overtime to give the Crusaders a 1-0 victory over IUPUI last Friday in a match that was moved to Brown Field.  Jackie Kondratko and Jessie White each picked up goals on Sunday in Terre Haute, Ind. as the Crusaders completed the weekend sweep with a 2-1 win against Indiana State.

Crusaders Remain Perfect Instate: Valpo is a perfect 3-0 against Indiana schools this season after downing IUPUI and Indiana State.  Valpo opened the year with a victory over Ball State as well.  Following the IPFW contest on Sunday, Valpo still has two matches against Butler on the schedule.

Cabral Moves Up Shutouts Chart: With the shutout against IUPUI on Friday, Mele Cabral now has five career clean sheets, moving her into a tie with Rose Holtkamp (1998-2002) for third all-time.  Cabral is two shutouts shy of Amy Cavanaugh (1996-1999) for second all-time.

Among the Nation’s Best: As a team, Valparaiso ranks 28th in the country with a 0.389 goals against average and 19th in save percentage.  Individually, Mele Cabral is 21st with a .920 save mark.

Trio Among Top Scorers All-Time: Kendall Brown moved alone into third place all-time at Valpo with 19 career goals after her tally against Indiana State.  Her 46 career points also rank third on the Crusader career list.  Lori Johnson is sixth in school history with 12 goals and seventh with 31 points while Sarah Jewell is tied for seventh with 11 goals and eighth with 27 points.

Overtime Success at Home: With the overtime victory over IUPUI, Valpo is now 5-0-3 at home in extra session matches dating back to the 2001 season.  All-time, home and away, Valpo is 13-13-16 in overtime contests beginning in 1993.

Finding the Stat Sheet: Laura Romberg recorded her first collegiate assist on the match-winning goal for the Crusaders at Indiana State.

Valpo Picked Fifth in Preseason Poll: The Crusaders were selected to finish in a tie for fifth place in the Horizon League according to the preseason poll conducted of the league’s head coaches.  Milwaukee was picked to win the league.