The Butler women's soccer team survived an overtime clash of the titans in its season opener on Friday, defeating No. 3-ranked Iowa Western 2-1 under the lights at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
Butler, ranked fifth in the NJCAA preseason poll, fell behind 1-0 when Iowa Western's Kiona Christiansen scored in the 37th minute. The Grizzlies trailed through halftime and were still behind as the game stretched into the final 15 minutes.
The Grizzlies finally broke through in the 79th minute, when Brittney Lawrence sent a high shot across the front of the goal that nestled into the side netting to tie the game 1-1.
Neither team scored in the final 11 minutes, sending the game into overtime. Both teams had a chance to win in the extra period, but the game remained tied until Madison Wedekind slammed a ball into the back of the net with 52 seconds left in the period, ending the game with the golden goal.
Butler is now 1-0 on the season and avenges a 1-0 overtime loss at Iowa Western a year ago. The two schools are 2-2-1 against each other over the past five seasons.
The Grizzlies also remain undefeated all time at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. Butler went 9-0 in the first season in the new stadium in 2012 and is now 10-0 after the opening win on Friday.
Butler will be back in action at 11 a.m. on Sunday against Laramie County (Wyo.) at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
