VALPARAISO, Ind. – Valparaiso scored the game's lone goal in the 11th minute and rode the early lead to a 1-0 victory against Eastern Illinois women's soccer Friday evening.

The Crusaders' Lauren Gagnon redirected a cross by Luisa Desario past EIU goalkeeper Kaylin Lorbert and into the net 10 minutes and 10 seconds into the game. It was Gagnon's first goal of the season. Desario also hit the crossbar in the 27th minute.

The Panthers (2-1) suffered their first loss of the season while Valpo improved 2-0. It was the first home night game in the history of the Crusaders women's soccer program.

 

“A tough loss was going to happen at some point,” EIU head coach Summer Perala said. “It was the first quality opponent that out worked us, out muscled and out played us. It was our first chance to see how we responded to adversity. They had a good home crowd. There was a little heckling and the home crowd got into the game, trying to make things distracting for the other team.”

Hillary Blake and Caitlin Greene were credited with the Panthers' two shots on goal. Corner kick chances were at a premium for both teams. Eastern was limited to one and Valpo had only two. The Crusaders had an 8-6 edge in shots.

 

Lorbert finished with two saves. Sam Balek, Hillary Blake, Jessica Blake and Erika Prazma went the distance among the EIU field players. Ashley Eck logged 51 minutes to lead the reserves.

Kayla Doran started in place of Kristin Germann, who came off the bench for the first time in her EIU career. Germann is nursing a strained muscle and the coaching staff chose to limit her minutes. Germann started the second half and played 26 minutes.

Eastern returns to action Sunday when it returns home to host Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. The Eagles were a 1-0 winner at Illinois State Friday afternoon.