The Valpo soccer team took a one-goal lead into halftime Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, thanks to the first collegiate goal from junior Peyton Evans (Parker, Colo./Legend), but host Drake came from behind with a pair of second-half goals to hand the Beacons a 2-1 defeat and snap Valpo’s seven-match unbeaten streak.

How It Happened

• It looked like Valpo would take the lead early in the 38^th minute, as fifth-year midfielder Allie Anderson (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South [Xavier]) lined up a free kick from 30 yards out and struck it at goal. The effort looked destined to dip under the crossbar, but Drake goalkeeper Addie Ford leaped to punch it over the bar for a corner.
• It ended up being mere second later that the Beacons opened the scoring, taking advantage of the ensuing corner. Anderson took the corner and sent it to the far side of the box, where junior Lauren Cook (Littleton, Colo./D’Evelyn) headed it toward goal. The ball deflected off a Drake player and up off the crossbar, but rebounded right back into the center of the box towards Evans, who easily nodded it home for a 1-0 lead — an advantage Valpo carried into the intermission.
• A foul in the box was called on the Beacons in the 54^th minute, and Drake’s Emma Nagel slotted home the ensuing penalty kick to level the match at 1-1.
• Just over seven minutes later, the Bulldogs took the lead on a goal from Angela Gutierrez.
• Valpo pushed forward after falling behind, getting a number of efforts at goal late in search of the equalizer, but the Beacons were unable to even the match once again.

Inside the Match

• The defeat snapped Valpo’s seven-match unbeaten streak, as well as its 11-match unbeaten streak in MVC play which dated back to Oct. 2 of last season.
• Valpo surrendered more than one goal in an MVC regular season match for the first time since the fall 2021 season finale at Loyola.
• It also was just the second time this year the Beacons have given up more than one goal, with their match at Purdue being the only other such instance.
• The loss was Valpo’s first since 2019 against the Bulldogs.
• Evans’ goal was the first of her Valpo career, coming in her 42^nd appearance in the Brown and Gold.
• Cook was credited with an assist on the Evans goal, picking up her first career point in the process.
• Freshman Tatum Coleman (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) made her collegiate debut late in the first half and saw 27 minutes of action.
• Valpo ended the match with a 13-11 advantage in shots, but both sides were able to put just four shots on goal.

Next Up

Valpo (5-3-6, 1-1-4 MVC) heads to Southern Illinois on Thursday night for a key Valley match. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. The match will not be broadcast.