Matchday Information – Butler vs. Western Michigan
DATE:                         Thursday, August 18 / 7 PM
LOCATION:                Indianapolis, Ind. / Sellick Bowl
LIVE STATS:              butlersports.com
LIVE VIDEO:               (none)
SERIES RECORD:     Butler leads, 2-0
LAST MEETING:        September 16, 2021 - Indianapolis - Butler 5, Western Michigan 0
 
Full Notes

The Butler women's soccer team opens its season on Thursday, August 18, when Western Michigan comes to Indianapolis for a 7pm kickoff. The Bulldogs are coming off a 15-5-1 season, while the Broncos were 6-12 in 2021.

Bulldog Bits

• Fifth Year Katie Soderstrom was chosen the 2022 Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year. Joining her on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team is senior defender Aliya Diagne.
• Butler's 2022 schedule includes four teams who received recognition in the United Soccer Coaches 2022 Pre-Season poll (#9 Michigan, #19 Georgetown, #24 Xavier, and RV Wisconsin).
   
• Eleven Bulldogs participated in the USL W pre-professional women's soccer league over the past summer. (Indy Eleven: Katie Soderstrom, Becky Dean, Abby Isger, Julia Leonard---Chicago Dutch Lions: Lauren Doerr---Flint City: Alli Leonard, Alana Wood, Ari Jalics, Anna Schroeder, Caitlin O'Malley, Emily O'Malley)
• Freshman Talia Sommer notched seven caps, including three starts, with the Israel women's national football team during qualification matches for the 2023 World Cup.
   
• Butler's 15 wins in 2021 tied for the second most in program history (also 2002). The Bulldogs won 16 matches in 2015.
• Butler scored 41 goals in 21 matches during the fall 2021 season (1.95 goals/match) while giving up 19 goals
  (0.950 goals allowed/match).
• Thirteen different players scored at least one goal in 21 matches during the 2021 season, and twelve produced an assist.
• Butler made its third appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2021. The Bulldogs' first appearance came in 2015, followed by a second trip in 2017.

The Matchup

• The Bulldogs and Broncos have met only two times, with Butler coming out on top in both.
• Butler defeated Western Michigan, 1-0, in 2002, in Indianapolis.

Scouting Western Michigan

• In 2021, Western Michigan had an overall record of 6-12 and finished 4-7 in MAC play.
• In 18 matches, the Broncos scored 30 goals compared to 40 for their opponents.
• Western Michigan was outshot by its opponents, 207-298.
• Eight Broncos notched a goal and 14 also tallied at least one assist.
   
• Returning offensive standouts for Western Michigan include:
  #3 Jenna Blackburn (6g)
  #24 Cas Flanagan (4g, 2a)
  #15 Claudia Schilling (2g, 1a)
  #20 Jorden Campbell (3a)
• Of the returning goalkeepers, Lauren Baofo (0-1) logged the most minutes in 2021, appearing in two matches and starting one. She made nine saves (.643) and allowed five goals, producing a 4.22 GAA.