INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women's soccer team had no trouble finding the back of the net in a 7-1 homecoming weekend win over Western Illinois.
Four first-half goals were scored in the short span of 4 minutes and 18 seconds, all within the first 13 minutes of the game. The Bulldogs notched the first two, about two minutes apart, but the Leathernecks quickly responded to draw within one. Butler then returned the favor, and the 3-1 lead for the Bulldogs held until the break. In the second half, Butler (5-2-1) added four goals, and this time WIU (1-10-0) was unable to respond.
Riley Gumm and
Chloe Brecht each had a brace in the contest which was played a Victory Field. Gumm added an assist, leading all Bulldogs in points in what was the final non-conference contest of the regular season.
Key Moments
- 8' | Alyssa Carlson pressures the Western Illinois keeper who quickly plays a ball out. Sarah Monin intercepts the ball and plays across to Gumm. Gumm's shots back to the left post avoiding the keeper who is set up on the right. It's 1-0 Dawgs.
- 11' | Cecelia Simion takes a corner kick from the right side. The service is headed directly into the goal by a leaping Sarah Beth Sizemore. The near-post strike puts the Bulldogs up two.
- 12' | In just over sixty seconds, Western Illinois strikes back. A long service from Sammy Hunt in the defensive line finds Callie McMurtrey in the right corner. McMurtrey's cross is headed directly into the goal by Rita Moran from the six. Butler's lead is cut to 2-1.
- 13' | Another quick one, as the Bulldogs again go up by two. Carlson takes a deflection and shoots from 20 yards, and the deflection off the WIU defender goes to the feet of Brecht. Brecht punches the ball in from 10 yards out, and Butler again leads by two.
-- HALFTIME --
- 57' | A Leathernecks' goal kick is headed a couple of times at midfield. Cecelia Simion heads it forward to Gumm, and she plays forward to Carlson on the left side of the box. Carlson shoots from 15 and gives Butler a 4-1 lead.
- 59' | Gemma Gillespie passes forward out of the defensive line and continue to run. Lily Kiliski collects the ball in the right corner and plays back to Emma Hamelmann at the corner of the area. Hamelmann serves to the far post, where Gillespie has continued her run. Gillespie heads the ball in for the Bulldogs' fifth goal of the day.
- 69' | On the left side, Carlson plays out to Isabella Ayau who continues the ball on to Gumm on the left touch line. Gumm angles in and shoots from the corner of the area. He goal is Butler's sixth of the match.
- 84' | Elsa Maurer plays forward out of the back line, finding Kylie Secoda at midfield. Secoda settles, turns, and plays forward to Brecht on the right side. Brecht has beaten her defender and slides the ball under the charging keeper, giving the Bulldogs a 7-1 advantage.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Gumm (2), Brecht (2), Sizemore, Carlson, Gillespie
ASSISTS: Simion (2), Carlson (2), Monnin, Gumm, Hamelmann, Kiliski, Ayau, Secoda, Maurer
Bulldog Bits
- Gumm's goals were her third and fourth this season, and the assist was her third this season and the fourth of her career. It was her first career brace.
- Brecht now has six goals this season and eight in her career. She also had a brace, nine days ago at IU Indy.
- Sizemore's goal was a career first.
- Carlson's goal was her third this season and her third in as many games. It was the sixth of her career. Her two assists were her first this season and give her three for her career.
- Gillespie's goal was her first this season and the second of her career.
- Simion's two assists were the first of her career.
- Kiliski's assist was her second this season.
- Ayau's assist was her first at Butler and the fourth of her career.
- Monnin, Hamelmann, Secoda, and Maurer each tallied their first career assist.
- Julia Lorenzi and Alexi Mumford each made her first collegiate appearance in goal.
- The seven goals scored by Butler were the most since the 2022 season when the Bulldogs beat Wright State, 7-0.
- The four-game winning streak for Butler is its longest since the 2021 season when the Bulldogs rattled off nine straight.
Up Next
Butler opens BIG EAST competition hosting Marquette on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Sellick Bowl.
