A goal less than two minutes into the match proved to be the difference Wednesday evening in Milwaukee, Wis., as the Valparaiso University women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Milwaukee in Horizon League play.

The decisive tally came at the 1:44 mark, as the Panthers’ Anna Smalley beat Crusader goalkeeper Sydney Galvez-Daley (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick [Creighton]) to a long ball over the top of the defense and put it away for her seventh goal of the season. Galvez-Daley would make four saves over the course of the match to keep the Panthers at one goal.

But the Crusaders were unable to score a goal of their own over the 90 minutes to level the match. Both sides ended up with 11 shot attempts on the night, but Valpo’s four shots on goal were all saved by Milwaukee (10-3-2, 7-0-0 Horizon) goalkeeper Paige Lincicum. The Crusaders pushed forward in the final minutes in search of the equalizer, tallying five shots and three corner kicks over the final 14 minutes, but could not find the back of the net.

“It was unfortunate for us to give away a goal so early – it really forced us to chase the game from the beginning,” said Crusader head coach John Marovich. “I felt like our pressing was working in the second half, and we got some really good looks late in the game, but weren't able to get the tying goal. The Horizon League is a tough league, as we’ve seen night in and night out, and now we have to come out tomorrow, refocus and regroup for Saturday’s match.”

Valparaiso (6-6-3, 3-3-1 Horizon) now faces another critical Horizon League road test Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders travel to Detroit. Kickoff is slated for noon CT, and all the action can be seen live on ESPN3.com. Live stats will also be available via ValpoAthletics.com.