EL DORADO, Kan. – No. 12 Butler soccer earned its first ranked win of the 2024 season on Sunday taking down No. 17 Barton 2-1 at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
After the 2023 season saw Butler have its difficulties with the conference champion Cougars finishing 0-2-1, the Grizzlies (2-0-1) handled business in the first matchup of 2024. The win is the first ranked win for Butler in 2024 after tying No. 3 Seminole State to begin the season.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE - ADAM HUNTER & RUBY KILDEN
"We're always happy to win," said head coach Adam Hunter. "We're doing a better job of protecting BG this season. I thought we could have been better in front of goal because we had chances in both halves to separate ourselves, but we left Barton within striking distance."
A Barton own goal got the Grizzlies out front early with a 1-0 lead at the 14:49 mark.
Saki Matsumoto put Butler on top 2-0 with the game winning goal at the 70:28 mark after she broke away from the Cougar defense and converted a 1v1 shot on the Cougar goalie. It was Matsumoto's first goal of the 2024 season.
"It seems like she's always able to get a look like that," said Hunter. "When she gets away, there's a good chance she will put it on goal.
Saki Matsumoto with her first goal of the 2024 season to put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0 in the second half!#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/OxSfRcPfwO
— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) September 2, 2024
Barton did not go away though, scoring nearly two minutes later when Beatriz Baldi added her third goal of the season to make it 2-1.
The Grizzlies were outshot 11-10.
Butler had Rylie Schiffelbein in goal for the first half as she added two saves. Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth played the second half and turned away three shots. Matsumoto and Macy McKissick led the Grizzlies with three shots a piece.
Butler returns to action on Wednesday as they travel to Kansas City for a 6 p.m. game with KCKCC.
