VALPARAISO | It might have been senior night Tuesday in Valparaiso, but it was the underclassmen who made the difference in a crucial Duneland Athletic Conference girls soccer match with Portage.

Freshman Kaylee Pullins scored the game-winner and sophomore Zoe Patterson added the other score as the Times No. 9 Vikings edged the No. 6 Indians 2-1.

Valparaiso (8-6-1, 4-2) struck first in the 27th minute when Patterson gathered a missed shot from junior Stephanie Fisher and sent the ball into the back of the net,

Portage (4-6-2, 3-3) evened the score in the 34th minute when Kristen Ashby footed a deflection off the hands of Valpo goalie Emma Kurt.

The game-winner came in the 17th minute of the second half when freshman Andrea Violanti crossed the ball to classmate Pullins.

"We're very lucky to have a lot of younger players," Valparaiso coach Rob Cespedes said. "Our freshmen and sophomores (have) really picked it up and helped the team along. It's definitely a great addition to the upperclassmen that we have."

Portage didn't let their DAC rivals get away with the win easily, threatening with three corner kicks in the final two minutes of the game.

"We definitely got a push there at the end," Portage assistant coach Mike Sopko said. "The DAC has several teams that are always battling for the top and it's tough because a couple things here and there can decide the conference."

GIRLS SOCCER

No. 9 Valparaiso 2, No. 6 Portage 1

Valparaiso freshmen Andrea Violanti and Kaylee Pullins hooked up for the game-winning goal.