Crusaders march through Sycamores

After three days of glumness and soggy weather, the Indiana State women's soccer team's spirits were further dampened on Sunday afternoon after dropping a home game to the Valparaiso Crusaders 2-1.

The Sycamores (1-4-0) have dropped four straight games over the past two weeks.

Valparaiso (4-1-0) has won three straight games, including wins over Air Force and an overtime thriller over IUPUI on Friday.

The Sycamores came out strong on the cool, crisp, sunny afternoon. Their intensity level was high, and their passes were near perfect.

However, it was Valparaiso who struck first. In the 15th minute, junior Jackie Kondratko added to her goal total with her third of the season. The goal came on a Sycamore miscommunication. Kondratko found her way through the defense and took a well-placed right-footed shot that found its way past freshman goalkeeper Emily Lahay, sneaking just inside the far post. The Sycamore hustle picked up midway through the first half.

They created more opportunities on goal and looked to tie the game several times near the end of the first half.

The Crusaders found the back of the net once again off of a free kick in the 64th minute. Laura Romberg headed the crossed ball towards the goal, but only found the crossbar. Unfortunately for the Sycamores, the ball deflected directly to the feet of junior Jessie White, who put the ball in the back of the net.

Midway through the second half, the Sycamores had a glimpse of a goal when senior Amanda Gogel slipped through the Valpo defense. Junior goalkeeper Mele Cabral charged at Gogel, who tried to chip the keeper, but to no avail.

The Sycamores finally found the back of the net in the 72nd minute. Off a crossed ball, freshman Alison Gasparovich sent the ball back into the box. The ball was deflected off a Crusader defender and into the back of the net.

However, that was the only goal the Sycamores scored.

Lahay, who started between the posts for the first time Sunday, stopped eight shots on goal, while Cabral only needed to save three shots on goal.

The Sycamores will return to action this weekend when they travel to Lafayette, Ind., to participate in the Boilermaker Challenge Cup. This Friday, ISU will play Morehead State at 5:30 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the Sycamores will battle Rhode Island at 1 p.m.

( Chris Hauger is a sophomore pre-med major. He can be reached at sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu.)