The Valpo soccer team closed out its 2025 home campaign on Sunday afternoon at Brown Field, dropping a 1-0 decision to visiting Murray State on an 80^th-minute goal. Prior to the match, the Beacons recognized the four members of their senior class — Hannah Gabriel (Northville, Mich./Northville), Kennedy Hill (Austin, Texas/St. Michael's Catholic Academy), Molly O'Rear (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and Kate Sheridan (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) — on Senior Day.
 
How It Happened

• The first half played out scoreless, with each side attempting five shots. The best chance for either team in the opening 45 minutes came late in the half from Ashley Harvatin (Lake St. Louis, Mo./Timberland), whose shot from inside the box was on track to tuck inside the far post before MSU goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio dove to push it just wide.
• The Beacons had another stellar scoring chance early in the second half, but a sharp-angle shot from close range by Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) was palmed up and over the bar by Revolorio.
• With the clock ticking towards the final 10 minutes of the match, the Racers broke through, as Mary Hardy was able to roof a shot from inside the box after a cross from the left.
• Valpo had a trio of shot attempts in the final five minutes in search of the equalizer, but was unable to find the back of the net.

 
Inside the Match

• All four Valpo seniors were part of the starting XI on Sunday. For Gabriel, appearing in just her third career game, it was her first career start, while Hill made just her second career start.
• On the other end of the spectrum was O'Rear, who was making her 65^th start as a Beacon. O'Rear went the full 90 minutes for the first time this season and just the fifth time in her career.
• Murray State ended the afternoon with an 18-12 advantage in shots, but only had two shots on frame. The Beacons put three shots on goal.
• Sunday's result knocks Valpo out of contention for one of the six berths in this year's MVC Tournament.

 
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
"On a day where we celebrate our seniors, I think today was a display of the leadership they've shown with our group. Every week, this group has been progressing, doing better and taking steps forward — we continued to show that this week, with the win over Belmont and the battle today in a really good game against a Murray State side which is in good form and near the top of the conference standings."
 
"That growth that I've seen over the course of this season is what's exciting, and that has a lot to do with our senior group and how they lead every day. As we focus on Thursday, I look for our team to continue to put forth the effort and work we have the last few weeks to honor our seniors with our effort and our performance and hopefully send them off on a winning note."
 
Next Up
Valpo (4-8-4, 1-4-3 MVC) closes out the 2025 campaign with a Thursday afternoon matinee, as the Beacons head to Evansville for a 1 p.m. kickoff.