Forward Katie Soderstrom dribbles at the Wolverines defense in the Bulldogs 1-0 win over Michigan. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics.

CALEB DENORME | SPORTS REPORTER | cdenorme@butler.edu

The Butler women’s soccer team pulled off an early season upset in Ann Arbor on Aug. 21, knocking off the ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines. The Bulldogs came into this game off the back of a 5-0 win against Western Michigan and carried that momentum to a 1-0 win in this contest. The result improves the Bulldogs to 2-0 on the year and avenges their loss from last season to the Wolverines.

This game was a prime example of defensive efficiency by Butler, shutting down the Wolverines offense and keeping a clean sheet on the day. Despite being outshot 18-7 by Michigan, the Bulldogs stout defense and strong performance from redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Pierce were decisive in achieving victory.

The breakthrough came in the 64th minute courtesy of redshirt senior Katie Soderstrom. Soderstrom skillfully diced her defender and then placed the ball into the top corner to give Butler the lead. This was only one of three total shots that the Bulldogs were able to place on frame throughout the entirety of the game.

The Wolverines responded to conceding by upping the intensity on the Bulldogs, racking up 16 fouls over the duration of the game, with 11 of those coming in the second half. Kacey Lawrence and Sammi Woods both picked up cautions from the referee in the second half, with Butler’s Claire Farrington receiving the only yellow card for the Bulldogs. 

The result gives the Bulldogs their first upset over a team ranked in the top 10 since 2017. Early season results often carry over into the remainder of the season and become the tone setter for how the season plays out.

The Bulldogs are back in the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl on Aug. 25th to face the University of Illinois Fighting Illini with both teams looking to improve to 3-0 on the year.