CHANUTE, Kan. — For the first time since 2014 and just the second time in program history, Butler soccer played to a scoreless tie as the sixth-ranked Grizzlies and Neosho County battled for 110 minutes without a goal Wednesday night at Chanute Sports Complex.
Prior to Wednesday, Butler's only scoreless tie in the 18-year history of the program came on Sept. 26, 2014 in a conference match at Allen County. The tie also marked the first time the Neosho County did not lose a game to the Grizzlies, who lead the all-time series 26-0-1.
While outshooting Neosho by a 20-4 margin, Butler (7-2-1 overall, 3-1-1 conference) certainly had its chances, but the Grizzlies failed to score a goal in a conference contest for the first time since a 2-0 road loss to Johnson County on Sept. 29, 2017. The Grizzlies' best opportunities came in the second half in the 52nd and 66th minute, but failed to finish.
In the 52nd minute, freshman forward Alyssa Stewart hit a 20-yard shot off the lower right post after turning and receiving a long pass from Madison Edwards.
Just 14 minutes later, Neosho struggled to clear a Maizi Garwood corner kick as the ball trickled back near the left end line to Garwood, who sent the ball back into the box. With her back to the goal, Karter Corini headed the ball off the crossbar, but the Panthers would eventually clear the ball.
Butler also had an 8-3 corner kick edge over Neosho. The Grizzlies played both goalkeepers, with starter Lexi Winkle making two saves in the first half. Backup keeper Angie Ojeda made two saves in the final 65 minutes of play.
The tie drops Butler to second place in the Jayhawk East standings – just a half-game behind league-leader Cowley (6-2-0 overall, 4-1-0 conference).
Butler's next contest will be on the road Tuesday at Allen County, as the Grizzlies will play the Red Devils in a 2:00 p.m. match in Iola. Allen (0-7-0 overall, 0-4-0 conference) remains winless on the season and has lost 15 consecutive games dating back to last year.
The Grizzlies return home Saturday, Sept. 28 to host Kansas City Kansas in a 7:00 p.m contest at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
NOTES: In the all-time series against Neosho, the Panthers have lost by one goal on five different occasions – marking the closest margin to the Grizzlies in a contest until Wednesday's tie.
