April 18, 2002
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The Butler women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Indiana on Wednesday (Apr. 17) evening at North Central High School. The Bulldogs, who are 7-2 on the spring season, played the Hoosiers in their annual match to benefit Special Olympics.
After playing evenly the first 20 minutes, Indiana turned up the pressure, getting on the board as Kristen Sprunger received a through ball in what looked as though to be an offside position. Sprunger went to goal and found the back of the net with a shot to the far post. The Bulldogs created three scoring opportunities of their own in the final four minutes of the half, but couldn't convert.
The second period opened up with Butler attacking in the Indiana end. Terea Rhodes evened the match for the Bulldogs with a header to the far post. The game went back and forth for the remainder of the half.
The Bulldogs had perhaps their best opportunity to take the lead when Krista Rott served a brilliant ball into the box, which Amy Morrison settled with her chest and sent a volley off the top of the crossbar. But, it would be the Hoosiers who would strike again, as Butler was whistled for a controversial foul in the box, with 12 minutes remaining to play. Indiana converted the penalty kick and held on to win 2-1.
"I thought we played very attractive soccer," said head coach Woody Sherwood. "That's not always easy to do when you are playing a quality team. Indiana was more athletic than us and that caused problems at times. It's a shame that after 90 minutes of soccer, the game really came down to two calls. I don't envy the officials positions, though, it's a very difficult job."
Butler will finish their spring season on the road at Cincinnati on Saturday (Apr. 20). Butler defeated the Bearcats (ranked 12th in the nation by SoccerBuzz) 1-0 last fall. The game will be played at Metalex Park.