Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Alice Palmer, Vlad Gurovski and Katy Wagner mounted a solid second half effort by Oakland (2-8-1, 0-1) accounting for seven shots as the Golden Grizzles fell to Valparaiso (4-1-4, 1-0), 3-0 on Wednesday Night at Brown Field. Defensively, Stephanie Bukovec made four saves facing 18 shots.

"Valparaiso scored three goals and put us under a lot of pressure in the first half," said head coach Margaret Saurin. "We played well in the second half and created some chances but could not convert."

Valparaiso capitalized early on a set piece and failed clear to take a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of play. Kaylee Draper launched a free kick in from 35 yards out that Rita Craven corralled off a rebound and scored. In the 19th minute, April Cronin took an attempted clear and put a shot past Bukovec.

Wagner had Oakland's best first half chance as she put a hard shot on Sydney Galvez-Daley who made the save in the 22nd minute. Palmer attempted an ensuring corner kick in which the offense could not capitalize on.

The Crusaders then took a 3-0 lead off a penalty kick by Craven in the 37th minute.

The Golden Grizzlies increased the pressure immediately in the second half as Joan Sieja broke in past the defense just a minute into the frame. She took a shot but Galvez-Daley moved out to cut off the angle making the save.

In the 65th minute off a Sieja corner kick, Sarah Reynolds hit a shot that was saved followed by shot from Gurovski that sailed wide right off a failed clear.

Oakland continues Horizon League play with a home match against Green Bay on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

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