Box Score TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State Sycamores fell to the Valparaiso Crusaders in heartbreaking fashion today (Oct. 22) by a score of 2-1.

"I'm kind of at a loss for words. For the past month we've been playing really well and the product we're putting out on the field is a lot better than the results are showing. I think we're making strides as a team and getting better every day, but we're not getting results right now," said head coach Julie Hanley.

The matched proved to be a battle between the Missouri Valley Conference opponents on a humid day inside Memorial Stadium.

Both teams found themselves locked into a back and forth stalemate during the first half of play.

Neither team was able to get into a consistent rhythm as numerous shots were fired, but very few were on frame.

Caitlyn Eddy and Danielle Varner controlled the central midfield for the Sycamores as they threw passes forward into the attack, but the Sycamores could not get on the end of anything.

The score remained tied at zero going into halftime.

Coming out in the second half both teams brought new energy.

"The thing I've never questioned with this group is their energy and their effort. They control that and I think we've made the decision every day to come out ready to play every game."

Each team fired six shots in the second half with Valparaiso also earning themselves two corner kicks during the half.

Indiana State continued to push the ball forward into attack and continued to be unlucky on chances.

The Crusaders were also aggressive offensively as they consistently threw numbers forward at the Sycamores backline.

In the 65^th minute Valparaiso's efforts paid off as Grace Rogers sent a long, 30 yard overhead pass finding the head of Cory Griffith on the Sycamore's back post who placed it into the net for a goal.

Only five minutes later the Sycamores answered with one of their own.

Caitlyn Eddy beat a Valparaiso midfielder one on one and went off on a breakaway down the central midfield. Eddy played a through ball forward, splitting the Valparaiso backline, where she found Alina Steffen who took one touch and shot putting the ball in the back of the Crusader's net. This tied the match at 1-1.

Both teams remained aggressive as they fought for the win, battling for every ball and accumulating numerous fouls during the half.

Then, in the 85^th minute Valparaiso found themselves on the attack yet again. A shot from the left flank resulted in a scrum inside the Sycamore's 18 yard box. Natalia Kontul touched the ball forward where Griffith slid and barely got a foot on the ball to give Valparaiso the game winner.

"We're a really young group and they're resilient. Today I told them that there's times in your life when things aren't fair. We're doing all the right things, getting better every day, bringing energy, and I said to them I'm at a loss for words because I wish I had a better answer for why this happened. However, Valpo is a great team and John is a great coach and I wish them nothing but the best, but for us it's tough," said Hanley.

Indiana State will be back in action on Oct. 26 as they travel to face off with Northern Iowa at 5 p.m. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  

For the latest information on the Sycamore Soccer team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.