Valparaiso University

An early goal and a late goal were the difference Thursday afternoon in Charleston, Ill., as the Valpo women's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Eastern Illinois in the 2026 season opener.
 
How It Happened

• The Panthers claimed the lead in the fourth minute, as a cross resulted in an own goal by the Beacons.
• While the match was still 1-0 at the half, it wasn't for a lack of Valpo chances. The Beacons had six shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes, a number of them high quality opportunities.
• Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) had a pair of strong chances in the 13^th and 23^rd minutes, Brylie Walos (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) had an effort saved on the break in the 28^th minute and Sofia Raco (Mississauga, Ont./Holy Name of Mary College School) had a shot from distance in the 44^th minute which forced EIU goalkeeper Ella Kratochvil to make a leaping save to punch it over the bar.
• Valpo continued to push in the second half, with perhaps its best chance of the game a shot from inside the box along the ground by Ashley Trippeer (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) in the 65^th minute which hit the left-hand post.
• EIU closed out the scoring in the 88^th minute when Amelia Mundo hit the goal from distance with the keeper pushed up off the line.

 
Inside the Match

• Thursday's matchup marked the fifth straight year that Valpo has faced Eastern Illinois, and the third time in that stretch when it has been Valpo's season opener.
• August 13 is the earliest date for a regular season opener in program history.
• In her fourth season at Valpo, Eve Miller (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock Area) made not only her first career start, but just her third career appearance.
• Ivy Barba (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) and Adria Schultz (Toronto, Ont./Michael Power – St. Joseph) both earned starts in their first collegiate matches as freshmen. Schultz is the first Valpo freshman goalkeeper to start in her first career match since Nikki Coryell debuted in goal to open the spring 2021 campaign.
• Raco, Sophia Bonacci (The Woodlands, Texas/IMG Academy) and Kinly Rodell (Olathe, Kan./Olathe North) all made their collegiate debuts off the bench as well Thursday.

 
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
"Giving up an own goal in the first five minutes isn't how you script it, but I loved the response. We answered with seven shots, six on target, right away. That tells you everything about this group's mentality."
 
"Our corner kicks created real chances, and I liked how we pressed in pockets of space out in the wide channels. We didn't concede a shot on goal until well into the second half - that's a credit to how organized and committed the group was defensively."
 
"The second goal came late, from 45 yards, as we pushed numbers forward going for it. That's the risk you accept when you're chasing a match. These are the experiences that grow a team, and I'm confident this group takes a real step from here."
 
"We're excited about the flexibility of this squad. We tried some new things in the second half that gave us valuable feedback and experience moving forward. I'm really pleased with the mentality and the way we created chances. The final touch is what will reward this group."
 
"The result isn't what we wanted, and that's on us. You don't want to drop your season opener, and we're not going to hide from that. But how we respond to this is what matters, and I like what this group is made of.  I'm confident this group will take a real step from today."
 
Next Up
Valpo (0-1-0) caps off the two-match road swing Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at SIUE.