Once again, the Valparaiso University women’s soccer team had to play beyond 90 minutes Wednesday evening in Horizon League action at Brown Field versus Milwaukee, and for the second time in three games, it was sophomore Cory Griffith (Lemont, Ill./Providence Catholic) who found the golden goal for the Crusaders, as she scored in the 99th minute to give Valpo a 2-1 victory over the Panthers. The win was the 79th in the career of head coach John Marovich, making him the winningest head coach in program history.

How It Happened

• It was a rough start to the match for the Crusaders, as Milwaukee’s Anna Smalley knocked home a rebound just 44 seconds in to put the Panthers ahead 1-0. But despite Milwaukee out-shooting Valpo 12-2 in the first half, the deficit remained just one goal into the second half.
• Both sides had good scoring chances early in the second half, as Smalley was in on goal but put a shot high in the 49th minute. On the flip side, the Crusaders’ Vanesa Abad (Barrington, Ill./Lake Zurich [Ohio State]) had a similar opportunity on a cross where she was unmarked at the far post, but her effort in the 56th minute flew over the crossbar as well.
• Valpo would eventually equalize in the 60th minute. Abad floated in a cross from the right to the far post, where it came down in a crowd of Crusaders and Panthers. With a multitude of feet punching at the ball, it was eventually the boot of Morgan Manzke (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) which knocked it across the goal line to tie the match at 1-1.
• The match would carry the same scoreline into extra time, with Valpo limiting Milwaukee to just one shot attempt in the 30 minutes following the equalizer. The Panthers did put the ball into the goal in the 86th minute, but it was waved off thanks to an infringement ruling on Milwaukee against Crusader goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore).
• The Crusaders took advantage of the first real scoring chance in extra time to come away with all three points. Running with the ball in the middle of the field, Manzke crossed over her marker before playing a pass down the left side for Griffith. The sophomore cut back inside and found space between a pair of Milwaukee defenders, rifling a bending effort just underneath the crossbar from 15 yards out for the match-winner.

Inside the Match

• Marovich earned the record-breaking win in his 164th match in charge of the Crusaders (79-58-27) and in his ninth season as head coach. He broke the tie he held with his predecessor, Stephen Anthony.
• Griffith picked up the match-winning goal for her third match-winner out of four goals this season. Griffith and April Cronin (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) have accounted for all six of the Crusaders’ match-winners this year.
• Manzke, who entered the match with no points on the year, picked up both a goal and an assist. The redshirt junior now owns four career goals – all of which have come in Horizon League play – and three assists.
• Abad’s assist on Valpo’s first goal was her first of the season and fifth of her career.
• After being out-shot 12-2 over the opening 45 minutes, Valpo bested the Panthers in the shots department, 8-3 over the final 54 minutes.
• Moulton was pressed into action in goal for her fifth career start following a red card to Tess Barrett (Tinley Park, Ill./Providence Catholic) last time out. Following the goal in the opening minute, Moulton rebounded nicely, making three saves to earn the second victory of her career.
• Valpo entered Wednesday’s fixture just 1-16-0 all-time versus Milwaukee. The Crusaders have now won the last two meetings at Brown Field, however, and each of the last five matchups have been decided by just one goal.

Thoughts From Head Coach John Marovich

“I thought tonight that giving up the goal early really affected us – it seemed we didn’t have the same type of energy we normally do and just didn’t handle Milwaukee’s pressure the way we normally would. But our group really did a great job responding in the second half. There was a ton more energy and more pressure, and we created many more chances.”

“We did a really good job finding opportunities to get corners and other set pieces in the second half. I felt like Grace Rogers did a great job getting service in for us. Morgan did a great job as well - not just on the attacking side, but also with her work defensively in the middle of the field in the second half.”

“I was really happy with Cory’s effort on the game-winner in overtime. It was a really well-taken shot on a half-chance look, and really shows the importance of taking those half-chance opportunities – especially in extra time.”

“Obviously it’s pretty humbling to break a record like the wins record. What I think about with a record like that, is like all records, it’s a mark that’s meant to be broken. I want to make sure we continue to push that number higher and higher, to help raise the bar for the program in the future. I’ll remember this win, as the record-breaker, for the manner in which it happened – an exciting overtime win. But I also remember my first one, where Jackie Kondratko scored against Ball State to win 1-0.”

“I told our players in the locker room after the game that it’s all about them – all the players who are playing here now and all of those who have played here in the past. I’ve had the chance last weekend with Homecoming and tonight to see many former players and have had the chance to thank them. I want to send a shout out and thank you to anybody who’s ever played for Valpo in my time here – they’ve become a big part of my life and my family, and this record wouldn’t be possible without them. I also want to thank my assistant coaches, Vanessa Vella and Alex Boehm – they put in countless hours to help make our program better, and each win is just as much a credit to their hard work and dedication.”

Next Up

The Crusaders (6-6-0, 2-1-0 Horizon) hit the road for their next two Horizon League matches, starting Saturday evening at Green Bay. Kickoff against the Phoenix is slated for 7 p.m., with live stats available via ValpoAthletics.com.