Molly O'Rear (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) gave the Valpo soccer team the lead at Oakland Sunday evening with a penalty kick in the 61^st minute, but the host Golden Grizzlies converted their own penalty kick just over 10 minutes later as the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw.
 
How It Happened

• It was a scoreless opening 45 minutes as neither squad's attack made headway in the first half. Kate Sheridan (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) made three first-half saves to keep the Golden Grizzlies off the board.
• O'Rear gave Valpo the advantage in the 61^st minute as she stepped up and deposited a penalty kick to make it 1-0 Beacons.
• While the 61^st minute was kind to Valpo, the 71^st minute was unkind, as a foul in the box gave Oakland a penalty of its own, which Brae Cole knocked in to make it 1-1.

 
Inside the Match

• O'Rear's goal was the fifth of her collegiate goal, but her first since her freshman campaign. The senior's last goal came back on Oct. 23, 2022.
• O'Rear became the first Beacon other than now-graduated Addy Joiner to take a penalty kick since Sept. 9, 2022. Joiner had taken the last five spot kicks for the Beacons.
• Sheridan finished the night with four saves in goal to help Valpo earn the draw, as Oakland held a 10-6 edge in shot attempts and a 5-1 advantage on frame.
• All three goals Valpo has surrendered this season have come from dead-ball situations — two penalty kicks and one free kick.
• Nine of Valpo's starting eleven were unchanged from Thursday's season opener. One of the two swaps was the insertion of freshman Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central), making her first collegiate start.
• Emma Paraskos (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) and Julianna De Simone (Elmhurst, Ill./York Community) made their respective first appearances of the season off the bench Sunday.

 
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
 
"I thought we really pressed well and had a really good energy in the second half. We had Oakland pinned in to their end for a good bit — created a lot more pressure and stress, and forced a lot more turnovers in our offensive half."
 
"It felt like goals were coming for us. Then we got the penalty and it felt like potentially another opportunity was out there for us. Unfortunately, we give out a foul in our 18 and we end up coming out of today with a draw."
 
"I liked the way the team responded from Thursday, and the way they responded from the first half tonight. The first half was a bit slower, and I felt like the second half had a much different pace. As we get more clinical in front of goal, I see positive things ahead for this group."
 
Next Up
Valpo (0-1-1) comes home to Brown Field for a three-match homestand starting next Sunday afternoon, as the Beacons host Purdue Fort Wayne at 1 p.m. on August 24. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.