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VALPARAISO, Ind. - For the second straight match, the IUPUI women's soccer team tallied three unanswered goals to overcome an early deficit as the Jags rolled past Valparaiso, 3-1 on Sunday (Sept. 15). Junior Valentine Pursey scored twice, including the game-winner, and sophomore Elizabeth Bueckers scored for the second time in as many matches for some second half insurance.

The victory was the 200th of head coach Chris Johnson's collegiate coaching career and 119th in his IUPUI coaching career. Johnson begin his coaching career at UIndy, amassing 81 victories before taking over the IUPUI program in 2003. 

"We went into the game on a high from Friday, but also with a goal to finish off more of our chances we create," Pursey said. "Going behind didn't worry us. We played our game and we knew the opportunities would come. It felt great to get a few goals for the team and especially special for me, having the parents in town. 

"Now we're just excited to get conference play going."

IUPUI (5-2-1) went down a goal in the tenth minute on a gorgeous header from Natalie Graf from point blank range. Valpo (0-7-1) took advantage of a foul near the Jaguars' end line and Ali Quillen drove service to Graf, who directed a header easily past IUPUI senior Sophia Lipka for the game's first goal. 

Conceding a goal seemingly awakened the Jaguars as IUPUI, and specifically Pursey, flipped a switch with an immediate answer. Pursey got on the scoring end of a Miranda Ricks corner kick in the 16th minute and then tallied the eventual game-winner less than five minutes later. On the winner, junior back Natalie McNally drove a restart into danger from beyond midfield and the carom found Pursey, who drove a shot past VU keeper Georgia Henkel. 

IUPUI kept knocking on the door late in the first half and early in the second half, but couldn't solve Henkel. Ricks hit a shot right at the VU keeper from point blank range in the 47th minute and then fired high in the 48th when she arrived at the ball at the same time as the keeper from 12 yards out. 

Freshman Maya Lacognato tested Henkel, prompting a diving save, in the 50th minute to keep the game within reach. Later, Emma Chambers hit the crossbar from the left side in the 55th minute as the Jags continued to misfire on opportunities. 

The Jags received a lucky break to take a two-goal lead in the 70th minute as Bueckers had a cross knocked down by the arm of a VU defender inside the penalty box, making for an easy penalty kick call. Bueckers then ripped the PK off the underside of the bar and into the net for her second score of the year. 

Pursey continued pushing for the hat trick late, missing on a header wide of target in the 77th minute and just missing getting on the end of a Lacognato cross at the near post in the closing minutes. 

Pursey had a game-high four shots while Ricks attempted three for the Jaguars. Lipka made four saves in the first half while earning the win and redshirt freshman AP Woodall registered three stops in a clean second half. 

It was Pursey's fourth career multi-goal game as she upped her career total to 21 and her career game-winning goal total to 11. 

IUPUI will now open Horizon League play next Friday night (Sept. 20) when the Jaguars host Northern Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium. That match will be broadcast on ESPN+ and admission is free for IUPUI students with a valid Crimson Card.