BOX SCORE

INDIANAPOLIS - Valparaiso's Casey Pedersen netted a penalty kick in the 38th minute to provide the difference in a 1-0 win over the Butler women's soccer team Sunday afternoon.

The loss came despite a solid defensive effort by the Bulldogs, as Butler allowed no shots on goal during the flow of play. Butler had a 9-7 shots advantage, including an 8-3 edge in the second half.

"We were near-perfect in our execution defensively, as far as being organized and limiting dangerous chances," head coach Tari St. John said. "But that's soccer. One mistake can result in a goal and then you're chasing the entire match."

The winning goal came at 37:13 and was started when Valpo's Tara Ellis was fouled in the box. Pedersen then lined up the penalty kick and went down the middle, just to the right. 

Sophomore Rachael Melendez and freshman Jackie Hafele each had three shots to lead Butler. The Bulldogs put a few good scoring chances together in the second period, including a flurry of shots in the 87th minute. Freshman Anna Ventimiglia and Melendez each had a good look during that stretch. The Dawgs kept fighting to the end, with sophomore Katie Griswold making a run at a breakaway in the final seconds.

"I was impressed with the way our kids competed until the end of the match," St. John said. "Valparaiso is a good team, one of the best in our league. I felt we competed very well against them."

Butler is on the road next week, playing at Green Bay Friday, Oct. 8 and Milwaukee Sunday, Oct. 10. BU's next home match is Friday, Oct. 15 vs. Loyola.