INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women's soccer team scored three goals in the first half to cruise to a 4-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. Senior forward Elise Kotsakis paced the offense with two goals and junior midfielder Sophia Maccagnone came up with two assists.

"This was a good performance from beginning to end on both sides of the ball." Co-Head Coach Tari St. John explained. "In our previous games we were good in spots and even had some good halves, but this was the first 90 minute game of quality soccer that we have played."

A corner kick led to the first goal of the game as Stephanie Kaylor sent the ball to the far side of the field to create the scoring opportunity. McKenzie Muchow sent the ball back near the left post where Shannon McDevitt beat the keeper to her left side. The double assist goal was the first of McDevitt's college career.

"We are playing nine players on a consistent basis that are inexperienced at this level, so we are happy to see things starting to click," St. John added. "We look forward to continuing the process of preparing ourselves for BIG East play."

Goal number two was created by Maccagnone as the midfielder attacked the middle of the field to draw multiple defenders. With Mastodons closing in on each side, Maccagnone found a streaking Kotsakis on the left side of the field. Kotsakis fired from 20 yards away and beat the keeper on the left side to put Butler on top 2-0 in the 21st minute of play.

The Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas pedal with a third goal in the opening half as Annie Weber found the back of the net for the first time this season off a double assist from Maccagnone and Kathryn Voelker. The score would give BU a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

First half stats were lopsided as Butler took 10 shots compared to just three from IPFW. Corner kicks were also dominated by the Bulldogs as Butler lined up for nine compared to zero for the visitors.

Second half action was much like the first as Butler dominated time of possession to control the match. The fourth and final goal was a rocket off the leg of Kotsakis who connected for the second time Sunday. Her shot from 20 yards out was from the right side of the field. She beat the keeper to the far left post to give Butler the 4-0 advantage.

Jayne Heinrich was credited with the shutout victory for Butler as she picked up a win after making two saves against IPFW. The Mastodons used two keepers with Sam Pavlika earning the start and Kiley Dunning finishing the job. Pavlika was active with nine saves, while Dunning had five in the final 23 minutes of play.

The Bulldogs will return to action this Thursday with a home match vs. Indiana State at the Butler Bowl. Action begins at 7 p.m.