For just the second time in program history, the Valparaiso women’s soccer team has played to three straight draws after playing 110 minutes of scoreless soccer in a 0-0 (2ot) tie at Northern Arizona on Sunday afternoon.  Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Galvez-Daley (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick [Creighton]) picked up her second shutout of the season, stopping four shots.

The vast majority of both teams’ chances came in the opening 45 minutes, as the Crusaders peppered NAU with 10 shots, five of which were on goal, and earned five corner kicks.  Meanwhile, the Lumberjacks registered five shot attempts, including three on frame.  But the game remained scoreless heading into halftime.

“We had a very nice start to the game today,” said Crusader head coach John Marovich.  “Our first 20 minutes were very creative – we had some very good movement and I was pleased with that.  We were inefficient in the final third, but I thought we had really good ideas in the first half.”

Valpo tallied just one shot attempt over the final 65 minutes, while Northern Arizona totaled just four shots and Galvez-Daley had to make just one stop after intermission.  The game would end in a 0-0 draw, the Crusaders’ second clean sheet of the season, both of which have been 0-0 ties.

“As the game wore on, I think playing overtime on Friday and playing at altitude today caught up to us a bit,” said Marovich.  “I think the game had a real different pace to it after the first half.  But for our kids to battle thru two overtimes with a short turnaround, it’s always good to be able to pull out a result.  We have to keep working towards our expectations, which we haven’t reached yet, but the good thing is that our team is taking shape.  We have another solid defensive group, and I actually think the attacking ideas are getting there – now it’s just about working on those final touches.”

Valparaiso (0-1-3) looks to get into the win column on Friday as the Crusaders host Ball State at Brown Field.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and live stats will be available through ValpoAthletics.com.