Box Score CROWN POINT, Ind. — In its second contest of the season, the Chicago State women's soccer team lost at Valparaiso, 2-1.
Valparaiso's Kelsie James scored 6:53 into the game to open the scoring at the Sparta Dome. 25 minutes later, Tahela Noel converted a penalty kick goal off a foul on Chicago State's
Charne Van Der Walt (Auckland, New Zealand).
Then, in the 67th minute with the Cougars trailing by two, Preseason All-WAC honoree
Sara Quevedo (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain/Felo Monzon Grau Bassas) earned a penalty kick opportunity after a handball. The senior forward drilled her shot, securing Chicago State's first goal of the season and a 2-1 score.
In the final minute,
Julia Oliveira (Canoas, Brazil) collected a through ball and just missed on a last-gasp scoring chance. Valparaiso held off the late Chicago State charge to win by a goal.
Chicago State tallied four shots on goal, with
Kelsey Medina (Algonquin, IL/Jacobs High School),
Carmen Acedo (Mexico City, Mexico) and Oliveira joining Quevedo. Goalkeeper Stella Chiara Chiaradia tallied eight saves.
Quotables: Head Coach Cristiano Costa:
- "They are getting what we are trying to do and developing as a team. They are excited for the next match, which is another great opportunity for us. I am proud of them. They really fought."
- "We were the better team in the second half. And that blew my mind, given the amount of training we had. They are picking it up."
- "We'll keep trying and working. Eventually, it's going to happen, and the wins are going to come."
The Cougars next battle with Northern Illinois at 4:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in DeKalb, Illinois.
