Beacons Pick Up Win Over Belmont
The Valpo soccer team picked up a key three points in the MVC standings Thursday night at Brown Field, as a goal in the 12th minute from Molly O’Rear (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and a season-high 10 saves by Kate Sheridan (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) helped the Beacons earn a 1-0 win over Belmont.
How It Happened
– With just the second shot in the game for either side, the Beacons took the lead in the 12th minute. A move which started near their own goal line ended up with Martha Goddard (London, England/Alleyns School) carrying the ball down the right touchline and squaring back into the center of the park about 15 yards from the endline. Her pass was behind two other Valpo attackers, but ended up perfectly positioned for an oncoming O’Rear, whose left-footed shot from just inside 20 yards found its way to the upper-left corner to give the Beacons a 1-0 lead.
– That proved to be the only goal of the first half despite the two sides combining for nine shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes, as the Beacons carried the 1-0 edge into halftime.
– Valpo absorbed the Bruins’ numerous attempts at the equalizer through a desperate second half, as Belmont fired nine second-half shots, seven of which were on goal. But Sheridan was up to the task, stopping all seven efforts — highlighted by an 88th-minute save which saw her sprawl out to her right and push a shot destined for the far corner out of harm’s way with her right hand.
Inside the Match
– Thursday’s three points moved Valpo into a tie for seventh in the MVC standings. The top six teams in the final standing make the Valley tournament this year.
– O’Rear’s goal was her fifth of the season, three of which have come in MVC play. The senior owns nine career goals.
– Goddard now leads the Beacons this year with four assists, the most by a Valpo freshman since Keegan Maris tallied four helpers as a rookie in 2017.
– Sheridan’s top save with inside of three minutes to play was the highlight of a 10-save night for the senior as she earned her third clean sheet of the season. The 10 stops were a season high and her second-highest total of her career.
– Emma Paraskos (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) made her first career start Thursday. She is the 18th different field player to start a match for Valpo this season.
– Belmont ended the night with a 15-11 edge in shots, including a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Bruins also held an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
“I thought tonight was a performance by our team which really showed their love to grind and to compete to earn a huge three points.”
“Kate Jeffery really started it for us in the back line — she played with purpose and with a real desire to lead our group. That just fed all the way through the team, and it showed in our performance.”
“We had a lot we did well in the first half and got a great goal from Molly. Then in the second half, you have to find a way to get the result across the line, and that’s what we did. In those big moments, you have to step up, and Kate Sheridan did so with her big save late,”
“We’ll enjoy this result tonight, and then move on and start looking towards Sunday’s match tomorrow.”
Next Up
Valpo (4-7-4, 1-3-3 MVC) closes out its 2025 home slate Sunday afternoon as it hosts Murray State at 1 p.m. It is the Beacons’ Senior Day, with O’Rear, Sheridan, Kennedy Hill (Austin, Texas/St. Michael’s Catholic Academy) and Hannah Gabriel (Northville, Mich./Northville) being honored prior to the match.