Eastgate Field
Eastgate Field has been home to the Valparaiso University soccer teams since 1983, when the men’s program was founded. During the early years of the program, the Crusaders played their home matches at both Eastgate Field and Brown Field on the university’s campus, while also playing on the baseball field for several matches. By the early 1990s, Valpo moved all of its home contests to Eastgate Field.
In 1993, when the Valpo women's program was founded, both teams began to share the field. The women opened on September 5, 1993 with a 7-0 loss to Northern Illinois. They picked up their first home victory on October 26 of the same season, defeating Wisconsin-Whitewater 1-0.
Beginning in the 2004 season, Eastgate Field began to seem like a huge homefield advantage for the women’s soccer team, as the Crusaders have posted a 17-5-1 mark over the past three seasons, including a school-best seven wins during the 2005 championship season.
Eastgate Field has played host to the Mid-Continent Conference men’s soccer tournament twice during its existence. The first championship was held in 1997, with the event staged at Eastgate Field again one year later.
In 1999, a new scoreboard was added at Eastgate, beginning renovations to the complex. Toward the end of the 2000 season, team shelters were added along with an official's dugout.
More additions took place prior to the 2001 season as a new set of bleachers was added to the complex, giving the field a seating capacity of 500. In addition, a press box was added at the top of the bleachers, featuring an area for television and radio broadcasts to originate from Eastgate Field. The press box roof is covered, serving as a camera deck. Finally, a concession stand was added behind the bleachers. All of the renovations were made possible by a generous gift to the school.
