Sept. 26, 2004

Final Stats

Contact: Brian McCann

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Jen Bartels had three assists and six different players scored for the Crusaders as Valparaiso defeated Cleveland State, 6-1, on Sunday afternoon.

Valparaiso dominated play for most of the match, holding a 34-5 shot advantage and taking 11 cornerkicks.

"We continue to struggle defensively inside our own box," head coach Derrek Falor said. "We are allowing too many goals on crosses and corners because we aren't aggressive enough in our coverage."

Fallor words proved correct as four of the six Valparaiso goals were scored off crosses or cornerkicks, including the first goal of the game, a Lindsay Holley goal off a cross from just one-yard out at the 19:12 mark.

Valpo would add two more goals in the half, the last coming when Amy Miller took a Bartels cross and scored from 10 yards out with just 1:16 left in the half.

Defensive letdowns at the end of periods continued in the second stanza as the Crusaders added a pair of goals in the final six minutes of the match.

The Vikings finally netted their first goal of the season when Jennifer Weiand took a pass from Amber Rasmussen just over the midfield, held off two defenders and beat Valpo goalie Danielle Guerra to the short side from 15 yards out.

"Our offense is starting to fulfill its promise and I'm not just saying this because we scored a goal," Falor said. "We continue to hold control of the ball for longer periods of time and are doing a much better job of switching the point of attack at midfield. This has resulted in many more good scoring opportunities." The Vikings return home to conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule with a Friday night match against Bowling Green at Foltz Field in Strongsville. CSU then opens league play on Sunday (Oct. 3) at home against UW-Milwaukee.