A pair of late first-half goals were too much for the Valparaiso women’s soccer team to overcome on Saturday, as the Crusaders fell at Detroit, 2-0, in the penultimate match of the regular season.

On a windy day in Detroit, the Crusaders had a number of early efforts at goal, but were unable to get a shot on goal.  Senior goalkeeper Kristen Manski (St. Charles, Ill./North) made a pair of saves in the first 20 minutes to keep the Titans off the scoreboard, but Detroit went on top with 12 minutes left before halftime, as a set piece off a corner resulted in a goal from Kristen Tobin to give the Titans a 1-0 lead.

Detroit added an insurance goal just 27 seconds before intermission, as Tobin fed Kaitlyn Quarrell to put the Titans ahead 2-0.  Valpo put the pressure on the Titans in the second half, out-shooting Detroit 8-2 in the final 45 minutes, including five shots on goal and another that hit the crossbar, while also earning six corner kicks.  But the Crusaders were unable to find the back of the net.

Manski ended the day with three saves in goal for the Crusaders, who out-shot Detroit (9-7-1, 3-3-0 Horizon) 14-7 for the game.  Dunbar stopped six shots to earn the shutout for the Titans.

Valparaiso (8-6-2, 2-3-1 Horizon) closes out the regular season next Friday, Nov. 1 at Brown Field against Green Bay.  Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. as the Crusaders look to earn a berth in the Horizon League Championship.  The game can be seen live on the Horizon League Network, with links for live video and live stats available via ValpoAthletics.com.