Katie Soderstrom kicks the ball during a game last season. Soderstrom scored the only goal for Butler in the loss to the Blue Demons. Collegian file photo.
KEELEN BARLOW | ASST. SPORTS EDITOR | klbarlow@butler.edu
For the first time in Big East conference play, the Butler women’s soccer team came away with a loss as the Bulldogs traveled to DePaul and fell 2-1 on Oct. 3. Butler moved to 6-4-1 on the 2019 season. Here’s what we learned:
1. Struggle to finish despite ‘domination’
Throughout the match, Butler controlled possession and pace. Right out of the gate, the Bulldogs poured offensive pressure on the Blue Demons’ net. Then, after allowing a pair of goals, the Bulldogs recovered in the second half and created a wealth of opportunities. Where the Bulldogs struggled, Co-Head Coach Rob Alman said, was in finishing.
“Ultimately it was a completely dominant performance,” Alman said. “And we were just really really poor in our attacking eighteen, so we only got one goal.”
The Bulldogs have made a living this season off Katie Soderstrom corner kicks. They generated six in the match, three more than DePaul, but couldn’t capitalize on them when they came around.
Butler missed the target on a few key header attempts. Alman said they also misplayed several one-on-one attempts from inside the box.
The Bulldogs generated just two shots on goal.
2. DePaul finds a way
The homestanding Blue Demons scored a pair of first half goals and never looked back in the match. Despite Butler controlling the majority of possession, the Blue Demons found a way to put two goals in the back of the net.
In the 17th minute, Kristin Boos snapped a 281-minute scoreless streak for the Blue Demons. Butler had control early, but DePaul applied pressure for a quick moment and scored from the top of the box.
It was the first goal for DePaul since a 1-1 result with Bowling Green back on September 15th.
Morgan turner then added to DePaul’s lead in the 35th minute after a defensive lapse.
Soderstrom’s goal near the end of the first half chipped away at DePaul’s lead, but wasn’t enough.
3. Woes at Wish continue
Since joining the Big East, Butler has yet to win at Wish Field, home of the Blue Demons. Their best result was a 1-1 draw with DePaul back in 2017. The rest of their trips to Wish Field have been losses.
Alman credited the Blue Demons with having a tough field to play on and for playing to that advantage.“Their field is fast, bouncy and small” Alman said. To add to that, the Chicago Transit Authority’s “L” trains pass by the field every few minutes.
Over the last five seasons, DePaul has recorded a 19-11-10 record when playing at home.
Follow Keelen on Twitter @KeelenBarlow
