Butler wins national tournament opener over St. Louis CC, 2-1

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Butler women's soccer team got off to a good start at the NJCAA Division 1 national tournament, holding off ninth-seeded St. Louis Community College by a 2-1 score Monday evening at Melbourne Central Catholic School.

The win also gives Butler a school record for wins in a season. The Grizzlies, who are now 22-2 on the year, eclipse the record set by last year's team that was 21-4-1.

The fourth-seeded Grizzlies, also ranked No. 4 in the final regular-season national poll, got two goals in the first half against St. Louis. The first came on a free kick by sophomore Megan Snyder, who blasted the ball into the lower left corner of the net from about 25 yards away in the 22nd minute of the contest.

Just before halftime, Butler got its second goal when Hannah Palomo slotted a nifty goal after a nice assist from Casie Greenlee.

Up 2-0 at the half, the Grizzlies seemed to be in solid shape. St. Louis would quickly make it a game again early in the second half with a goal by Katie Rapisardo just four minutes into the period.

Both teams would have additional opportunities to score as the game wound down. Butler's best chance came when a kick by Carla Daniels bounced off the frame of the goal with just over six minutes left to play.

Butler outshot St. Louis 11-2 in the game and also had a big advantage in corner kicks (5-1).

The Grizzlies will finish pool play with a game against No. 5 Tyler (Texas) on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (CST). Butler and Tyler played earlier this season with the Grizzlies winning 3-2 in double overtime at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.

Depending on the outcome of Tuesday's game between Tyler and St. Louis, it is likely that the winner of Wednesday's game between Butler and Tyler will determine which teams moves on to the national semifinals and which team sees its season come to an end.