Matthew Will & Raymond Hoare
Managing Editor & Student Sports Media
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Butler’s matchup with Johnson County ended later than usual as the Grizzlies came away with a late win in overtime, 2-1. Sophomore defender Aylin Torres scored the game winning goal, improving Butler’s record to 4-3, 1-0 in KJCCC conference play.
Early in the game, Johnson County took a shot on goal, but Butler’s sophomore goalkeeper Bethany Reeves saved it before the Cavaliers could strike. During the first half, Butler had many attacking opportunities leading to corner kicks and free kicks. In the 36th minute, Elise Liedersten had a free kick opportunity 24 yards out, but the shot went over the post, keeping the game scoreless up until halftime.
At the halftime break, Butler had seven shots, two of them on goal as well as two corner kicks. As for Johnson County, they had recorded three shots, only one on goal. Despite having three corner kick chances, Johnson also remained scoreless.
Just over 10 minutes into the contest, Johnson County broke the scoreless tie on a header by Aina Blanch-Lopez off a nice corner kick feed by Cortlyn Ash.
Minutes later, Butler responded a nice turn-around shot that curled into the top right corner of the net off the foot of freshman forward Elise Leidersten. The goal marked Leidersten’s team-leading ninth of the season.
On a free kick attempt in the 76th minute, Torres put a nice ball over the box, but far left.
The rest of the second half was relatively slow. Both teams made offensive pushes, but neither could effectively penetrate the offensive third. For the first time this season, the Grizzlies headed to overtime.
Head Coach Adam Hunter’s message to his team during the break before overtime was simple, set pieces needed to be better.
“Free kicks… had to be better,” Hunter said.“In fact, I specifically asked them to try to drive the ball into the box [with] more of a line drive.”
Shortly after beginning the overtime period, Butler was gifted a free kick 24 yards out. As usual, Torres lined up to take it. The shot curled left, over the keeper’s head and into the record book as a game-winning goal.
“It’s feels great to be able to get that weight off our shoulders, so we can go back home and get some rest, and get prepared for our next game,” Torres said.
Butler (4-3, 1-0) continued their conference schedule on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. on the road against Coffeyville (3-1).