Losing begins to affect team spirit
Kyle Moss
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Sports
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An unusual day resulted in an unwelcome result for Western (3-4-1), as it lost to Valparaiso University (2-4-1), 2-1, its third consecutive loss at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
In the midst of a four-game skid, Western came out strong and clearly wanted to avoid the first-half struggles that had plagued it in previous home games.
With an estimated 380 students in attendance for the Homecoming Committee give-away, Western came out charged up and took an early lead in the first half.
Following a penalty, sophomore forward Martin Browne netted his second goal of the season on a beautifully placed free kick.
With a wall of Crusaders in front of him, Browne bent the ball around the defense and snuggled it just inside the posts in the upper left corner of the goal.
Looking energized and finally playing with the lead, Western appeared to be in good shape. But, coming off of a brutal run of three games in six days, fatigue finally caught up with the team toward the end of the first half.
With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Valparaiso forward Eniola Solomon knocked in the tying goal off an assist from defenseman Andrew Stewart.
"The first 20 minutes we played really well," said coach Eric Johnson. "We got a beautiful goal from (Browne). Our spirits were good, we were playing well and we were moving the ball and got in behind them. We just didn't take advantage of some opportunities. Then we gave up a bad goal for the tie before the half ended. I think we just kind of died from there and they got energized and got a smell of a tie or win and really took it to us. I don't think we handled that well mentally."
Feeling the momentum, Valparaiso came out strong in the second half and took advantage of a gassed Western team. Defenseman Steve Shively scored the eventual winning goal in the 58th minute, off a pass from midfielder Zack Stivers.
"This team is down right now," Johnson said. "They tried to battle at the beginning. I think the schedule just caught up to us today in the second half. We just didn't have the legs. I think Tuesday took it out of us. You have to give Valparaiso credit - they out-ran us in the second half. We'll move forward. Our fitness is there, now we need to regroup mentally. That will be the key. I think we'll be okay, but we're definitely frustrated right now not to get a win today."
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