TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - After two goals were scored in the opening 15 minutes of Friday's match between Indiana State and Valparaiso, a high scoring contest seemed imminent. But those two early goals were the only two of the match, as the Sycamores and Crusaders fought to a 1-1 draw at Memorial Stadium in front of 207 fans.

Junior Alison Gasparovich scored just 80 seconds into the match, as Indiana State (6-3-1) set the pace of the match early. Gasparovich scored just inside the left post from the top of the penalty box when the ball fell to her feet after being deflected from a Valparaiso defender. The goal was Gasparovich's team and Missouri Valley Conference leading sixth of the season.

Valparaiso (4-3-3) scored on a penalty kick in the 15^th minute, after freshman Shelby Troyer was whistled for a foul in the box. VU's Casey Pedersen stepped up and scored to level the match at 1-1.

ISU nearly scored in the 30^th minute when the Valparaiso defense was called for a direct back pass, awarding the Sycamores an indirect free kick just left of the penalty spot. Junior Seyma Erenli stepped up quickly and shot the ball directly into the back of the net, disallowing the goal that needed to be touched at least once to be ruled official.

Another near ISU goal occurred in the 39^th minute off the foot of Gasparovich. The junior midfielder ran with the ball at a back-tracking Crusader defense, shooting from the right side of the penalty box. VU goalkeeper Kristen Manski was up to the test, however, making a diving save to her right to keep the score knotted at 1-1.

ISU led 5-3 in shots over the first 45 minutes, including 3-2 in shots on goal. The Sycamores also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks in the first half.

Indiana State continued to control the pace of the match in the second half and overtime, outshooting Valparaiso by a 10-6 mark, including 5-0 in overtime.

For the match, ISU led 15-8 in shots, but had just a one shot advantage in shots on goal, at 6-5. The Sycamores also led in corner kicks, 8-3.

Gasparovich led the way with four shots (three on goal) and netted ISU's lone goal. Erenli added three shots, while junior Morgan Wendlandt and freshman Kylie Greischar both added a pair. Senior Casey Clark, junior Ashley Collins, sophomore Kourtney Vassar and freshman Autumn Jacobs all recorded a single shot for the match, with Clark's and Jacobs' being on goal.

Junior Emily Lahay played all 110 minutes in goal for ISU, allowing just the Valparaiso goal off the penalty kick. For the match, the Sycamore keeper made four saves, her second highest total this season behind her five stops against Butler on August 27. Lahay's personal record now sits at 6-2-1 on the season.

Gasparovich continues to move up in ISU's record books this season, as the junior midfielder now sits in seventh place in career points (27) and in a tie for sixth in career goals (11). In single season records, Gasparovich is now eighth in points (15) and tied for seventh in goals (6).

The Sycamores take to the field next on Sunday, when the squad hosts Creighton in both school's MVC opener. The match is set to kick off at Noon out at Memorial Stadium. The match will be streamed live over the Internet and is also available for purchase through SycamoreVision at GoSycamores.com.

Postgame comments from head coach Erika True: