Butler falls 1-0 to Harford (Md.) in national tournament

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Butler soccer team made its debut at the NJCAA Division I national tournament, but could not find the net in a 1-0 loss to Harford (Md.) on Thursday.

Harford scored its goal in the first half in the 10th minute. Butler had its chances to answer, including a breakaway opportunity four minutes later by Carla Daniels, who saw her shot hit the right post and bounce away from the goal.

Butler controlled the pace of play for the first 10 minutes of the second half before Harford's defensive pressure became too much for the Grizzlies. Butler did have one last good chance when a Harford foul gave the Grizzlies a free kick about 30 yards out in the 77th minute. Aisling Dyer struck the ball well, but her shot was just inches above the crossbar.

Butler drops to 19-4-1 on the season. Butler will play again tomorrow afternoon against Waubonsee (Ill.) which was a 7-2 loser to No. 1 Tyler (Texas) in another quarterfinal game. The best the Grizzlies can finish now would be fifth place.

In the other set of quarterfinals, Scottsdale (Ariz.) defeated Northern Oklahoma 3-0 and Darton (Ga.) defeated Monroe (N.Y.) 4-1.