Matthew Will
Student Sports Media
The Butler women’s soccer team is rolling over conference opponents, going 6-0 since starting conference play. Sophomore forward Ky Kreemer has battled through an ongoing knee injury to help lead the Grizzlies to many victories, much of that time off the bench.
“Everything coach has done for me, it just makes me a better player,” Kreemer said.
Butler defeated Neosho County at home on Wednesday, Sept. 13, in an exciting 3-2 overtime thriller. Freshman forward Zion DeWerff scored in the first 10 minutes, giving Butler an early lead. The rest of the half was scoreless for both sides. Kreemer came out and scored a goal early in the second half, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead, and after a couple goals from the opposition, Neosho tied it at two.
After almost eight minutes of overtime, Kreemer connected on a corner kick from sophomore Tiffany Butler, giving Butler the win. Kreemer came down hard and clutching her leg, giving scares to a victorious Grizzly squad. Later discoveries showed it was just a cramp, and thankfully not her hurt knee.
“Kyla’s making plays for us, when other kids aren’t,” Coach Adam Hunter said. “Kyla plays with just a little more passion.”
Butler continued their schedule three days later, traveling to Iola to take on Allen County. The Grizzlies took care of the Red Devils, winning 6-0 thanks to two-goal games for both DeWerff and sophomore midfielder Michelle Palfrey. Goals by sophomore forward Kennedy Weaver and freshman midfielder Alexis Palmer finished the day for the Grizzlies.
Butler returned home on Friday, Sept. 22 to face Cowley College. The Grizzlies were firing on all cylinders despite a hot 93 degree 2 p.m. game. Cowley scored in the opening two minutes to go up 1-0, but it was all Butler the rest of the contest. Sophomore midfielder Holly Stewart scored her first goal of the season to tie it minutes later. Later that half, sophomore midfielder Katie Hartman scored her first of two in the game. Kreemer scored one goal for Butler off the bench before the teams left for halftime. She later would score two more for a hat trick off the bench. After the game, Kreemer spoke on the state of her knee, despite the great game.
“It hurts, but I want to play and I want to help my team score goals,” Kreemer said.
Freshman Kaylee Swanson got on the board in the second half to pad the lead. Four different Grizzlies recorded assists in the 7-1 win over Cowley.
Butler defeated Kansas City, Kansas 6-3 on Sunday, Sept. 24, scoring five in the first half. Weaver, sophomore midfielder Melonie Baca, Hartman, Palmer and Butler all recorded goals in a dominant game for Butler, Hartman scoring two.
The Grizzlies play again Friday, Sept. 29 at Johnson County, one of the biggest games of the year. Butler then returns home on Friday, Oct. 6 to take on Otero Junior College at 11 a.m. This will be the 100th Butler event to take place at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.