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INDIANAPOLIS - Valpo's Ava Porlier scored on a redirected corner in the game's 87th minute to send the visiting Crusaders to a 2-1 win over the Jaguars on a steamy Sunday (Sept. 16) at Carroll Stadium. IUPUI had pulled even in the 71st minute on senior
Jessica Flores' first goal of the year before Porlier's winner.
The loss was IUPUI's first at home this season as the Jags dropped to 2-6-2 on the season. Valpo improved to 3-4-1 overall on the year.
Valpo originally took the lead in the 30th minute on a gorgeous header from Cory Griffith from point blank range. Natalia Kontul provided service from the right flank as Griffith and
Sophia Lipka converged on the ball at the same time. However, Griffith outreached the Jaguars' keeper and redirected a shot into the middle of the net for her sixth goal of the season.
IUPUI was rendered punchless in the first half as they only mustered a
Jillian Steinbrink shot from long distance and a long attempt from
Jessi Cowen in the final minute of the half.
However, the second half was definitely more even as IUPUI finally broke through in the middle of the half. Freshman midfielder
Renae Blevins nearly got the Jaguars' on the board in the 66th minute on a drive from 25 yards out, forcing VU keeper Kezia Gesell to punch the attempt off the bar.
Roughly five minutes later, IUPUI finally deposited a score, thanks to Flores' well timed run up the middle. Senior
Braegan Lyon sent a pass ahead to Cowen on the left side, who flared a cross into the middle of danger. Her pass went just over the head of Gesell to a wide open Flores, who angled her hips to redirect a shot easily into an open net.
Play remained tied until the 87th minute when Kontul's second assist of the day setup the game-winner. Kontul delivered a low line drive corner kick towards the near post, where Porlier was able to get the shot past Lipka. Lipka finished with five saves and benefited from stops from defensive backs
Courtney Hodge in the first half and
Jenna Sterr in the second half.
Valpo outshot IUPUI by a wide 24-9 margin and 11-2 gap in the first half. Griffith had seven shots for the Crusaders while Sydney Griffin had five attempts and was a thorn in the Jaguars' collective sides all day long. Sophomore
Valentine Pursey, Cowen and Blevins each had two shot attempts for the Jaguars.
Gesell closed with a pair of stops in the victory.
IUPUI will be back in action in Horizon League play next weekend when the Jaguars host Detroit Mercy on Saturday (Sept. 22) at 2:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium. That contest will be aired on ESPN+ as Andrew Kappes is on the call.
