Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Butler women's soccer team improved their overall record to 3-1-1 with a 2-1 victory over SMU on Friday afternoon. The contest went down as the first game of the Hoosier Challenge Cup which is being hosted by the Indiana Hoosiers.

"We beat a very good team today," Co-Head Coach Tari St. John said after the match. "SMU was organized and caused us some problems inside the box all game. Chris [Petrucelli] is a two-time national coach of the year and I expected nothing less."
 
It didn't take long for BU to get going offensively against the Mustangs. Alex Holmes sliced through the defense during the fifth minute of play, firing a shot that would miss. The rebound was then grabbed by Maria Collica who quickly passed to Serina Kashimoto who slipped the ball past the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season just before the sixth minute of the match.
 
Goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke and the defensive unit would see action early as well. Just after the 11th minute of the match SMU, a high-octane offensive unit, got their first shot off missing wide with a header. Butler would hold SMU to no goals in the first half, with Luedtke credited for a save in the 24th minute of action.  

"We had a game plan and the players saw it through very well," St. John added. "We are comfortable not having possession of the ball and maintaining our discipline in our defensive shape. Today we were able to limit a team who has scored 17 goals already this season to just a few dangerous opportunities."
 
Butler's offense got going again at the beginning of the second half. Within the first three minutes of play Breann Pempek unleashed a shot towards the upper right corner of the net and beat SMU's keeper for her second goal of the season.

"I thought Serina [Kashimoto] and Bre [Pempek] scored timely, highlight material goals," St. John stated. "Carly Goehring's play on the defensive and attacking end was also very key to the positive result."
 
Following seven missed shots, SMU finally found the back of the net in the 63rd minute of play. A header got past Butler's defense to put the Mustangs on the board, yet they still trailed by a goal.
 
A late game defensive stand by Butler ensured a victory at Armstrong Stadium. Within the final three minutes of action SMU got two late shots on goal, one coming off a corner kick, but the Bulldog defense stood tall.
 
BU made the most out of their offensive opportunities against SMU. The Bulldogs scored their two goals on just five shots. In comparison, the Mustangs had 12 shots with four on goal against the stout Butler defense.
 
With the Butler victory goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke improves to 3-1-1 and added three saves throughout the match.
 
Butler will continue play in the Hoosier Cup Challenge on Sunday against LSU. A reminder that the game will be played at the Butler Bowl and will get underway at 1PM on Sunday.