Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - Playing without six contributors, the IUPUI women's soccer team gave an inspired effort and claimed its first-ever win over Butler on Friday afternoon, 1-0. Freshman Alex Baer netted her first career goal in the 65th minute to account for the game-winner. 

The win improved IUPUI's record to 10-6-0 on the season and was the program's first-ever over Butler in nine tries. Butler fell to 10-9 on the year. The match was played at BU's Varsity Field after rain prohibited the teams from playing at Kuntz Stadium.

"It's a huge win for us, to beat Butler," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "As we're recruiting, we hear Butler's name quite often. I know we hadn't beaten them before coming in, but we're looking to tighten up that all-time series."

"They've got a really good program."

On Friday, IUPUI was without its top four forwards due to various ailments, so Johnson's squad was forced to patchwork its attackers throughout the day. Despite the lineup overhaul, the Jaguars outshot Butler 14-12 overall and 4-3 on frame.

"When we put the lineup together, Stacy (Downing) and I felt that we still had a strong group today," Johnson said. "We feel like we're deep enough that when some kids go down, we have some talent behind them. The kids that started today are starting caliber players, there's just a lot of competition within the team."

Baer, making her sixth career start, scored after freshman Lauren Gallets carried the ball through the midfield and shifted the ball out wide to Courtney Roberts, who was making her first appearance of the season. Roberts floated a crossing pass over the six-yard box, finding Baer at the far post. Baer was able to sneak a header just inside the post past Butler goalkeeper Laura Baker.

"Courtney definitely has a good touch and can serve a ball very well," Johnson said. "I thought the ball she played Alex was just a perfect ball, and she's capable of doing that on a consistent basis."

"Alex did a great job of putting that ball in the goal."

From there, the defense hung tough and received a late fortuitous bounce to collect its tenth win of the season, tying the school record. In the 80th minute, BU's Molly Kruger drilled a shot from 20 yards out off the crossbar and the ball was cleared quickly by the Jaguars' defense. 

"Our kids are continuing to come together in the back," Johnson said. "The girls did a good job of working and keeping the play in front of them. (Stephanie) Hoffman came in and played a big game for us."

IUPUI nearly took a lead before halftime when freshman Margaret Allgeier hit a drive off the crossbar in the 27th minute. Junior Leslie Walker was in position for the rebound, but chipped her try well high off the goal.

Junior goalkeeper Jamie Farrell made three saves in her sixth shutout of the year and lowered her goals against average to 0.83. Gallets and Kruger both attempted a game-high three shots.  

IUPUI continues its non-conference swing on Tuesday when it plays host to Evansville at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The Jaguars will honor lone senior Lindsey Warfield on Senior Night, following the match. 

That match can be seen on the web as part of the IUPUI LIVE! package. For more information on watching the 4:30 kickoff, click here