Purdue Fort Wayne
Valparaiso
Valparaiso Cruises With Strong Second Half
10/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2008
Valparaiso, IN -- Despite a goal by Liridon Qafleshi and taking more total shots, the IPFW Mastodons lost to non-conference opponent Valparaiso University 3-1 Sunday afternoon.
The Valparaiso Crusaders used an offensive second half to overtake the visiting 'Dons after the match was tied at 1-1 at intermission.
The Crusaders bolted ahead early scoring the match's first goal with only 47 seconds off the clock. The Valpo goal was by Zach Stivers as he took possession off a turnover then beat IPFW's keeper Michael Knitter to hit an empty net.
The 'Dons then took six of the next seven shots before sophomore Qafleshi scored IPFW's lone goal in the 44th minute. Qafleshi's shot, from 35 yards, ricocheted off crossbar before hitting the net.
The second half started much of the same way the first did as Valpo jumped on the scoreboard right away. The Crusaders' Steve Shively was assisted by Vasilios Kyriakopoulos in finding the net as Knitter attempted to punch out in the 47th minute.
The Mastodons took only four more shots before a goal in the 90th minute by Valpo's Jake Freisinger as he hit the net from 10 yards out on the right side.
IPFW totaled 16 shots, eight shots on goal, and even won the shot category for the match. Valparaiso took 14 total shots and seven shots on goal.
Qafleshi led the Mastodons with four shots, three shots on goal, and the unassisted goal. Max Touloute, Raphael Martinez, Jorge Ramirez, and Casey Bowman all took two shots for IPFW. Touloute, Josh Sommer, Martinez, Ramirez, and Bowman all had shots on goal in the loss.
IPFW's Knitter kept four saves while the Crusaders' Kyle Zobeck finished the match with seven.
Sunday's match was the first of two remaining non-conference contests for the Mastodons this season. The 'Dons next travel to Detroit, MI, on Wednesday, October 22. First kick is set for 4 p.m. ET.
~Dons~
