The Grizzlies held their own for 75-minutes against the defending back-to-back National Champions but came up short in their season opener falling 2-0 Friday night at home.
Not only did the teams battle on the pitch but they battled the heat all afternoon long on the hot turf as the temperature hovered around 100 degrees throughout the duration of the game.
It was a balanced first half as both teams mustered up five shots during the first 20-minutes with two shots on goal for the Grizzlies and just one for the Apaches.
Freshman midfielder Tessa Thornton opened the game up scoring her first goal of the game with 16:30 left and answered that up with the knockout blow driving one in with 10:25 left in the game with Tyler leading 2-0.
Butler had a handful of opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net as Apache keeper Daniella Wilken finished the night with five saves in the contest and got her first shutout of the season.
Kenzee Godwin got off three shots on goal but all falling right into the hands of the keeper. Iyanla Bailey Williams had a great look off her head after a Brooklyn Hunter corner kick.
The Grizzlies are now 2-7-1 overall against the Apaches while Tyler picks up their first win in El Dorado in program history.
NEXT UP: No. 11 Butler will play host to No. 13-ranked Rose State College out of Midwest City, Oklahoma on Sunday, August 22. Match is set to kickoff at 4:00pm at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
