Grizzlies shutout No. 12 Monroe in season opener

Grizzlies shutout No. 12 Monroe in season opener

The sixth ranked Butler Grizzlies started the 2022 season in style as they travelled to Rochester, New York on Thursday, defeating the 12th ranked Monroe Tribunes in impressive fashion, earning a 3-0 shutout victory.

Kenzee Godwin scored the first goal of the season for the Grizzlies 27 minutes into the first half,  taking a breakaway off a pass from Yossi Villagrana and slotting it past the keeper to give Butler the lead. Five minutes later, the Grizzlies would double their lead off a header from freshman Kaitlin Erwin, scoring her first goal off an assist by Joy Ngbuini to take the Grizzlies into the half with a two goal advantage.

Ngibuini would score a goal off her own in the 78th minute to seal the victory, heading in a cross from Logan Riley to put the Grizzlies up by three.

Goalkeeper Kyrah Klumpp had a sensational game, saving all 10 shots she faced in the shutout victory. She cemented the clean sheet by denying Monroe at the penalty spot after a Butler foul in their own box late in the game.

The Grizzlies start the season 1-0 with the victory, and they'll look to stay unbeaten as they stay in Rochester for their second game, playing Iowa Western in a rematch of a national tournament game from last season, which the Grizzlies won.