The Valparaiso women’s soccer team picked up its first victory of the season Sunday afternoon and its fourth result in the first five games, earning a road win at Western Illinois, 3-0.

Entering the game with no goals in the first half this season and just one in their last 10 games dating back to last year, the Crusaders found the back of the net in the 17^th minute to get on the board early.  Sophomore Robin Wenzel (Woodstock, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) got behind the back line to the end line and sent a terrific cross into the box, where junior Rita Craven (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) was there to finish with a quality first touch to the far post to make it 1-0 Valpo.

“Our first goal really started with Grace Rogers (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury),” said Crusader head coach John Marovich.  “She played a great ball in to Robin in stride to start the play – that showed a great ability to get the ball into open space when that space was there.”

Then, the Crusaders got a key goal right before the intermission to give themselves a two-goal lead going into halftime.  Following an offside call on WIU in the 44^th minute, Rogers played a ball deep to sophomore Kat Anesini (Seattle, Wash./Ballard).  Anesini let the ball take a bounce, where it cleared the Leathernecks’ back line and left the sophomore 1-v-1 with WIU goalkeeper Victoria Kappel.  Anesini finished well to beat Kappel and make it 2-0 Crusaders.

Valpo closed out the scoring in the 73^rd minute of play.  Again, the Crusaders played up the right side, as freshman Lily Chetosky (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale) made a delayed run to wait for help in the middle.  Chetosky sent a hard cross into the back post, at the edge of the six-yard box, and redshirt freshman Vanesa Abad (Barrington, Ill./Lake Zurich [Ohio State]) took advantage and found the back of the net to make it 3-0 Valpo.

"I thought all three goals were quite quality, and we had a couple nice chances after our third to make it four," said Marovich.  "Our quality down the right side was very good today - both Robin and Lily did a great job on that side."

18 players saw action for the Crusaders Sunday as they posted their third shutout of the season, with redshirt sophomore Sydney Galvez-Daley (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick [Creighton]) making a career-best eight saves for her third clean sheet.  Valpo out-shot Western Illinois (1-5-0) 18-13 and took six corner kicks to the Leathernecks’ one.

"I thought Kat, coming in midway through the first half, did a really good job with the shape and quality of her runs to create space and chances for herself and others," said Marovich.  "Kelsey Draper was also very good today, helping to keep us in an attacking mindset.  Obviously anytime you can keep a clean sheet while playing 18 players, it's a testament to the overall work the group put in today - it was high quality all around."

Valparaiso (1-1-3) continues non-league play Friday evening, traveling to IPFW for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff.  Live stats will be available through ValpoAthletics.com.