VALPARAISO, Ind. - IUPUI saw a pair of odd goals go into the back of the net in a 4-1 loss at Mid-Con leader Valparaiso on Friday afternoon. Sophomore forward Emily Hicks provided one of the few bright spots for the Jags, netting her team-best fifth goal of the season in the second half on a free kick. 

Unfortunately, IUPUI already trailed 4-0 at the break. Coming into the match, IUPUI had allowed just 13 goals in the first 15 matches of the season, but was poisoned by bad breaks and sloppy defense in the first 45 minutes.

After the Crusaders jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Sarah Jewell goal in the fifth minute, VU benefitted from a pair of defensive lapses later in the frame.

Valpo's Laura Murphy was credited with a goal in the 21st minute when her corner kick deflected off #J.J. King#'s head, glanced off the far post and past IUPUI (5-6-5, 1-2-2 Mid-Con) goalkeeper Jamie Farrell.

Moments later, the Crusaders pushed it to 3-0 when the ball got tangled up in a scrum just outside the six-yard box. The ball grazed off Lindsey Warfield and just over the end line before Farrell could corral it. The score was credited to Lauren Cooper, off Murphy's assist. 

Jewell later rolled a free kick through the IUPUI defense and past Farrell in the 39th minute, to give Valpo (12-3-2, 4-0-1 Mid-Con) a resounding 4-0 lead.

Hicks broke up the shutout bid in the 66th minute when she drilled a free kick from 25 yards out.

For the game, Valpo outshot IUPUI by a slim 16-14 margin as the Jags dominated play in the second half. Stacy Downing and Jen Scorniaenchi led IUPUI with three attempts each. 

IUPUI senior goalkeeper Jessie Mann made four saves in shutting out Valpo in the second half, while VU's Erin Murray collected seven saves.

IUPUI returns to play on Sunday afternoon when they trek to Chicago to face Loyola (Ill.). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. CST. 

The Jags then return home to host Oakland on Thursday in a crucial match at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. IUPUI needs a win to have any chance of making the upcoming Mid-Con Tournament, hosted by OU.