Final Stats

VALPARAISO, IN - The University of Toledo women's soccer team scored a pair of first-half goals to defeat Valparaiso, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Eastgate Field.

Today's victory is the first for the Rockets this season, improving the Midnight Blue and Gold to 1-3-0 on the season, while the setback keeps the Crusaders winless at 0-4-0.

"It is always good to get that first win of the season," Head Coach Brad Evans said. "I was fairly pleased with how we played. In the second half, Valparaiso put a lot of pressure on us, but we were able to respond well and come away with the win."

The Rockets got on the scoreboard at the 11:24 mark of the first half on an own goal as a Valpo defender headed a shot into the net.

Toledo then added a second goal at 33:01 as sophomore Lindsey Zembower lofted a free kick from 25 yards out over Crusader goalkeeper Danielle Guerra, one of just two Rocket shots in the half.

In the second half, the Crusaders applied a lot pressure on the UT defense and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Jen Whipple, firing 11 shots. Lorna Torrez scored the Crusaders' lone goal at the 63:29 mark, banging home an Allison Swanson rebound after an Ashley Shaneyfelt corner kick.

Valparaiso could not get any closer though as the Toledo defense buckled down, despite several chances throughout the second half. The Rockets were outshot by the Crusaders 17-10 for the game and Whipple made five stops for the Rockets en route to earning her first collegiate victory. Valparaiso also held a 10-0 advantage on corner kicks in the game.

UT will return to action next Friday, Sept. 12, when it hosts Eastern Michigan in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools. The game is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. at Scott Park.

TOLEDO 2, Valparaiso 1

UT: Team Own Goal (Unassisted), 11:24
UT: L. Zembower (Unassisted), 33:01
VALPO: L. Torres (Swanson, Shaneyfelt), 63:29

SHOTS: UT 10, VALPO 17
SAVES: UT 6, VALPO 5
CORNER KICKS: UT 0, VALPO 10
FOULS: UT 19, VALPO 13