Collegiate Update: Valdez nets third goal of season for IU Columbus in win at Midway

IU Columbus women’s soccer secured its first River States Conference victory since 2023 on Thursday then followed that with a second straight win Saturday in Kentucky.

IU Columbus defeated St. Mary-of-the-Woods College Thursday, 2-1. Shelbyville graduate Rebecca Valdez played 56 minutes for the Crimson Pride and helped end a 6-game losing streak.

On Saturday, Valdez scored her third goal of the season to complete a 2-0 win at Midway (Ky.). Her goal came in the 60^th minute and led to IU Columbus improving to 4-9-2 (2-6 RSC).

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Ellie Simpson

The Shelbyville graduate played all 90 minutes Saturday in a 3-1 win for IU East at Rio Grande (Ohio). The win improved the Red Wolves to 9-5-2 (6-2 RSC).

Shelby Lasure

The Shelbyville graduate finished with one assist, one service ace and eight digs Wednesday for Anderson in a 14-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23 win over Manchester.

On Saturday, the Ravens were swept at Transylvania (Ky.), 25-17, 25-23, 25-19. Lasure had three digs for Anderson (9-10, 1-4 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference).

Brayden Wilkins

The Triton Central graduate had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Saturday for Franklin College in a 52-21 loss to Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Wilkins finished the game with three rushing attempts for 13 yard, three receptions for 32 yards and 194 yards on five kickoff returns for the Grizzlies (3-4, 1-2 HCAC).

Axel Conover

The Shelbyville graduate had one tackle Saturday for Hanover College in a 76-7 rout of Manchester.

The Panthers (5-2, 4-0 HCAC) racked up 765 yards of total offense, including 553 passing yards while the defense held the Spartans to minus-46 yards rushing.

Asher Caldwell

The Morristown graduate placed eighth in the field and helped Trine golf capture the 2025 Region V Showcase on Oct. 21 at the Catawaba Country Club in Catawaba, Ohio.

Caldwell shot a 4-over-par 76 on Oct. 20 and followed that with an 8-over-par 80 for a two-round score of 156 that left him tied for eighth place.

Oliver Gearlds

IU Kokomo’s men’s golf team carded its best round of the season (298) on Saturday to secure the team title at the Holy Cross Invitational at Rock Hollow Golf Club in Peru, Indiana.

Gearlds, a Triton Central graduate, finished third overall for IU Kokomo with rounds of 76 and 75 for a two-round total of 151 (+7).

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