Valparaiso University

Twice facing two-goal deficits on Sunday afternoon at Brown Field against Detroit Mercy, the Valpo women's soccer team cut the margin in half both times, but was unable to find the equalizer as the visiting Titans came away with a 3-2 victory.
 
How It Happened

• UDM opened the scoring in the 25^th minute as a long-range shot from Avery Mondoux dropped into the upper-right corner.
• It looked like the Titans had taken a 2-0 lead with 16:40 remaining in the first half, but the goal was wiped out on the first usage of video review in a Valpo home soccer match due to a foul in the buildup.
• But just 28 seconds after the ensuing restart, the Beacons were whistled for a foul in the box and Emma Henry converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
• The Beacons pulled a goal back with just over 90 seconds left until halftime. Alyssa Thomas (Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee [Wright State]) won possession on a throw in the attacking third and sent in a cross in the air from the left. Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) was there in the center of the box and a simple flick of her head sent the ball into the back of the net to cut UDM's lead to 2-1 at intermission.
• The Titans restored their two-goal advantage in the 69^th minute with a goal from Sam Sickinger.
• Just 82 seconds after UDM made it a 3-1 game, the Beacons again pulled back within one goal. Desiderio gained possession about 40 yards from goal and sent a pass ahead to Sofia Raco (Mississauga, Ont./Holy Name of Mary College School), who took one touch with her back to goal and pushed it out wide left into the path of Brylie Walos (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead). Walos dribbled into the box on the left, and then sent a left-footed shot from 10 yards out inside the far post to cut the margin to 3-2.
• Both teams had chances to add to their side of the scoreboard in the final 20 minutes, but neither converted any further opportunities as the Titans came away with the win.

 
Inside the Match

• Sunday marked Valpo's first defeat when scoring at least two goals since Oct. 5, 2019, when it lost by the same scoreline at Indiana State. Valpo had been 31-0-3 since that match when scoring at least two goals.
• The Beacons have scored at least two goals in three consecutive matches for the first time since October 2022.
• Desiderio's first-half goal was her second of the season and the ninth of her career, while her second-half assist was her first of the season and the second of her career.
• This was the third time in a Valpo uniform that Desiderio has had multiple goal involvements in the same match.
• Walos had played 19 collegiate matches without finding the back of the net before scoring in both of this week's contests. It is the first time a Valpo player has scored goals in consecutive matches since Molly O'Rear did so last September.
• Thomas recorded an assist for the third straight match, giving her four for her Valpo career and five overall in college. She is the first Beacon to accomplish that since Martha Goddard (London, England/Alleyns School) did so last year in nonconference play — prior to that, you have to go back to 2017 to find a Valpo player with helpers in three consecutive contests.
• Raco's assist was the second in as many Sunday matches for the freshman.
• Valpo ended the afternoon with an 18-14 edge in shot attempts and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks, but the Titans put nine of their shots on goal as opposed to the Beacons' three.
• Making her first start in goal in the Valpo uniform, Salange Bell (Montclair, N.J./Montclair Kimberly Academy [Montclair State]) made six saves.

 
Next Up
Valpo (1-2-1) has a lighter slate next week, facing just a single match on Sunday afternoon at Western Michigan.