Box Score INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Butler women's soccer team picked up an impressive 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois Friday night in a non-conference match at the Butler Bowl, outshooting the Panthers 27-4. Freshman midfielder Sophia Maccagnone netted her team-best third and fourth goals of the season in the win, as junior defender Ali Backscheider added another goal.
After 54 minutes of scoreless soccer, Maccagnone got the Bulldogs (4-3-1) on the board by besting EIU junior goalkeeper Jessica Taldone on a penalty kick.
"Penalty kicks are always nerve-racking," Maccagnone said following the win. "I know from past experiences that my teammates have a lot of confidence in me, so I just go in there and do my thing and hope that it goes in."
Butler added to its lead late in the match, with Maccagnone scoring in the 80th minute off assists from sophomore midfielder Caroline Kowal and junior defender Olivia Colosimo. Just nine minutes later, Colosimo served a corner kick to Backscheider for another goal.
The assists were the firsts of the year for Kowal and Colosimo and the goal was Backscheider's first of the season.
"We haven't had a goal in the run-of-play in a while," Butler head coach Tari St. John said. "It was nice to earn a couple."
Sophomore defender Kelly Mahoney had seven shot attempts in the game. Sophomores Elise Kotsakis and Stephanie Kaylor each took four shots.
Junior goalkeeper Julie Burton, in her second start of the season, recorded one save en route to shutting out the Panthers (2-6-0).
The Bulldogs will look to continue their winnings ways Sunday when they travel north to Muncie, Ind. to take on the Ball State Cardinals (3-2-2).
Butler has just two non-conference matches remaining before it kicks off Atlantic-10 play Sept. 29 against St. Louis.
"We've been coming together," Maccagnone said. "We are putting ourselves in great shape to be a big threat to other A-10 teams."
