The Valparaiso University women’s soccer team got its 2016 campaign off on the right foot on Tuesday evening, going on the road and defeating Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill. by a final score of 4-2. The Crusaders found the back of the net twice in the opening 10 minutes to claim early control in the victory.

Highlights

• Coming off of a strong summer season with the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, senior forward April Cronin (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) gave the Crusaders the lead in the sixth minute with an individual effort, bringing the ball herself from midfield and finding the upper-left corner for the finish.
• Redshirt freshman Ava Porlier (Downers Grove, Ill./South) doubled the Valpo advantage in the 10^th minute with a header off a cross from fellow redshirt freshman Natalia Kontul (Solon, Ohio/Solon).
• Freshman Tahleah Noel (Buffalo, N.Y./Christian Central Academy) made an impact in her first match in the Crusader uniform, finding the back of the net to make it 3-0 in the 29^th Fellow rookie Adi Johnson (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Christian) picked up the assist on Noel’s goal.
• After WIU cut the advantage to 3-1, a handball in the box in the 40^th minute resulted in a penalty to the Crusaders, which redshirt junior Morgan Manzke (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) converted for Valpo’s fourth and final goal.

This and That

• Head coach John Marovich looked to get playing time up and down the roster Tuesday, and did just that, as 24 different Crusaders saw action – including 21 outfield players.
• Valpo split time in goal with its three goalkeepers, as the trio – redshirt senior Sydney Galvez-Daley (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick [Creighton]), redshirt freshman Tess Barrett (Tinley Park, Ill./Providence Catholic) and sophomore Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) each played about one-third of the match.
• Despite the number of players who saw time Tuesday, the Crusaders controlled the match throughout, out-shooting the Leathernecks 17-9 and earning five corner kicks while not surrendering any corners.

Marovich’s Thoughts

• “We had a very solid start to the match, with the goal from April and then a great cross from Natalia to Ava. I was pleased with the progress of our group defending this early in camp. It was fantastic to have everyone get a solid 45 minutes of valuable experience today.”

Next Up

• The Crusaders host their final exhibition match this Friday at Brown Field, welcoming Ohio to campus for a noon kickoff. Live stats will be available via ValpoAthletics.com.