EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Valparaiso's offense finally broke through in the second half, overwhelming Evansville with three unanswered goals to secure a dominant 3-0 road victory Thursday night. The Beacons, who entered the match on a two-game losing streak, found the net three times after halftime to improve to 6-8-4 while handing the Purple Aces their second consecutive defeat.
Lauren Hill opened the scoring in the 44th minute with a low-center shot that found the back of the net just before halftime, giving Valparaiso a crucial 1-0 advantage heading into the break. Kate Jeffery doubled the lead in the 53rd minute to extend Valparaiso's control, and Kiara Desiderio sealed the result in the 77th minute with an assist from Martha Goddard, putting the match well out of reach.
The first half remained scoreless despite both teams generating chances. Valparaiso's Kiara Desiderio tested Evansville's defense early with a shot in the 3rd minute, while Evansville's Taylor Johnson fired a low attempt in the 9th minute. The Aces pressed for opportunities, with Ella Hamner sending a shot high over the crossbar in the 16th minute, but neither side could find the breakthrough in a tightly contested opening 45 minutes.
Valparaiso's halftime adjustments paid immediate dividends. The Beacons came out with renewed intensity after the break, and Hill's strike just before the interval proved to be the turning point. Once Jeffery added the second goal early in the second half, Evansville's defensive structure began to crumble. The home side managed only one shot on goal in the final 45 minutes as Valparaiso controlled possession and limited scoring opportunities.
Desiderio's finish in the 77th minute essentially ended any hope of an Evansville comeback. The Beacons' attack, which generated 19 shot attempts, couldn't convert enough chances into goals, while Valparaiso's 13 attempts proved far more efficient. Evansville's goalkeeper made just one save compared to Valparaiso's four, a stark illustration of the disparity in the match's flow.
Valparaiso's defense held firm throughout, particularly in the second half when Evansville pressed for goals. The Beacons' backline limited the Aces to four shots on goal despite their territorial advantage. Corner kicks favored Evansville 6-4, but the home side couldn't capitalize on set-piece opportunities. An unsporting yellow card issued to Evansville in the 53rd minute added to the frustration for the hosts.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Valparaiso, which had lost its previous match to Murray State before Thursday's breakthrough performance. Desiderio and Hill led the offensive charge, combining for two of the three goals. Evansville, meanwhile, saw its recent momentum evaporate after winning at UNI just a week earlier, dropping to 7-7-2 overall.
Valparaiso will look to build on this impressive road result as it continues its conference schedule, while Evansville faces the challenge of regaining its footing after consecutive losses. The Aces' inability to convert chances proved costly, a lesson that will loom large as they prepare for their next fixture.