Amanda Kowalski dribbles the ball down the field. Kowalski and the Bulldogs lost for the second time in Big East play. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.
KEELEN BARLOW | STAFF REPORTER | klbarlow@butler.edu
The Butler women’s soccer team dropped to 11-5-1 (5-2-1 in Big East play) after falling 2-0 to No. 4 Georgetown on Oct. 21. The result puts the Bulldogs at 1-6-1 against the Hoyas since joining the Big East in 2013. Georgetown has outscored Butler 21-3 in those matchups.
The loss closed the door on the Bulldogs hopes for the Big East conference regular season championship, clinching the No. 1 seed for the Hoyas in the Big East Tournament. The Hoyas remain undefeated (15-0-2) and win the Big East regular-season crown for the second consecutive year.
The Bulldogs pieced together a solid first half performance as they continuously applied pressure to the Hoya defense while leading the shot count 6-2. The Hoyas flipped the script after halftime to lead the Bulldogs 6-3 in shots.
In the 65th minute, the Hoyas were able to strike first after freshman midfielder Morgan Kloosterman was awarded a yellow card for the Bulldogs. The Hoyas sent in a free kick from the far side that brought sophomore goalkeeper Leonie Doege off her line, resulting in an open net for defender Kelly Ann Livingstone from the six-yard box.
The goal was the first in the regular season series between the two programs since 2016 after the 2017 meeting ended in a 0-0 double-overtime draw.
The Hoyas followed it up in the 83rd minute with another goal that brought Doege out of the net. After a cross from the far side, forward Paula Germino-Watnick was gifted with a clear shot from five yards out to give the Hoyas a 2-0 lead.
With the loss, the Bulldogs finish in the Big East has yet to be determined. They currently sit at 16 points heading into their final match against Villanova on Oct. 25.
With a loss, the Bulldogs could potentially be leapfrogged by St. John’s, who also has 16 points, and lose a first round bye in the conference tournament. Regardless of the result in their final match against Villanova, the Bulldogs have clinched a home match in the conference tournament.
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