Butler wins overtime thriller over Johnson County, 2-1

Butler wins overtime thriller over Johnson County, 2-1

EL DORADO, Kan. – Maddie Decker snuck a shot just inside the left goalpost with 1:46 left in overtime as No. 8 Butler defeated No. 20 Johnson County 2-1 in extra time at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex on Sunday.

The win is big for Butler in that it allows the Grizzlies to remain undefeated in a chase for their third straight Jayhawk Conference championship. With the Johnson County loss, only Butler and Barton County remain undefeated in league play. That sets up another important match on Friday when Butler will travel to Great Bend to play at Barton.

To stay unbeaten in conference, Butler had to survive a scoreless first half, despite outshooting Johnson 7-1. The Grizzlies had multiple opportunities to score, none better than a penalty kick following a handball called in the box against Johnson. Keeper Janay Stone denied Morgan Foster's attempt, however, and the game was still 0-0 after 45 minutes of play.

Butler scored first in the second half, on a partially-deflected cross by Morgan Foster that went across the face of the goal and was headed in by Madison Wedekind in the 52nd minute.

A defensive breakdown allowed a Johnson County goal by Courtney Hughes in the 65th minute.

Johnson County controlled the final 25 minutes of play to finish regulation. The five minute break between regulation and overtime seemed to benefit Butler. The Grizzlies seemed to have the momentum in the extra period and eventually were able to get the winning goal in the net in the 98th minutes for the win.

The Grizzlies are 9-2 overall and have won two in a row, while improving to 4-0 in Jayhawk Conference play.

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