Box Score

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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Butler scored three second half goals to defeat the Eastern Illinois women's soccer team, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field. The match was EIU's home opener.

The Panthers (0-4-1) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on two goals by junior Kristin Germann. The forward netted her first goal of the match on a penalty kick in the 14th minute before scoring her second goal of the match in the 25th minute. Germann beat the Butler goalkeeper to a ball played through the middle by junior Ashley Eck from 10 yards out, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper's head.

The Bulldogs (4-2) stormed back in the second half, scoring their first goal of the match in the 53rd minute when Nikki Hafele headed the ball into the back of the net off a corner kick by Olivia Colosimo. Three minutes later, Katie Griswold scored the equalizer on a penalty kick, making the score 2-2.

In the 68th minute, Butler's Elise Kotsakis scored the game-winning goal with a shot from just outside of the 16-yard box that hit just under the cross bar and dropped into the back of the net.

Butler took 10 more shots (18-8) than EIU in the match, including five more shots on goal (9-4). The Bulldogs took two more corner kicks (6-4) and committed three more fouls (7-4) than the Panthers.

Jessica Taldone made six saves and allowed three goals between the pipes for the Panthers. Natalie Galovska made two saves in goal for the Bulldogs.

EIU continues its three-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 9 when they play host to in-state rival Western Illinois.