WICHITA, Kan. – Butler soccer picked up its second straight win over an NJCAA-ranked opponent Saturday with a 1-0 win over #5 Navarro (Texas) at Stryker Sports Complex.
Sophomore midfielder Pricsila Bonilla scored the lone goal of the contest in the 55th minute, sliding in to knock the ball in after Navarro goalkeeper Laura Jansa deflected a shot back to Bonilla.
Butler's win over Navarro (1-1) was the final contest of the first day of a six-team, three-day classic that features some of the top-ranked NJCAA Division I soccer teams. The Grizzlies (3-1 overall) will next face #7 Lewis & Clark (Ill.) on Monday at 9:00 a.m. from the Stryker complex. The Trailblazers (1-1) defeated the Grizzlies in pool play at last year's NJCAA National Tournament in Foley, Ala.
Lewis & Clark lost 3-1 to #10 Laramie County (Wyo.) in Saturday's opening contest in Wichita, while unranked Rose State (Okla.) knocked off #3 Iowa Western 2-0. Sunday's schedule has Laramie County taking on Iowa Western at noon, while Rose State will face Navarro at 2:30 p.m.
Against Navarro in the second half, Butler freshman forward Karter Corini set up the Grizzlies' goal by delivering a cross into the center of the goal box for Bonilla, who hit a left-footed shot right at Navarro goalkeeper Laura Jansa. With both players going for the ball, Bonilla barely beat Jansa to the ball by hitting a sliding shot into the net for the Grizzly goal.
Navarro's best chance for an equalizer came five minutes after Bonilla's goal. Just past midfield, Bulldogs midfielder Manyima Stevelmans fed a perfect 25-yard pass ahead to forward Roneisha Frank, who sprinted ahead past her defender. Frank then hit a left-footed shot that ricocheted off charging Butler keeper Lexi Winkle.
Following Monday's game against Lewis & Clark, Butler will turn its attention to conference play, beginning with a 6:00 p.m. road contest at Kansas City Kansas on Wednesday. The Grizzlies will then host Cowley at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
NOTES: Butler improved to 3-5-2 all-time against Navarro. The Grizzlies have won two of the last three meetings – including a 4-1 home win on Sept. 18, 2016. Navarro defeated Butler 2-0 in the last meeting on Sept. 1, 2017 in Tyler, Texas.
