Howland's hat trick helps No. 4 Butler rout KCK 8-0

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Sophomore forward Colleen Howland finished with her second hat trick of the season as No. 4 Butler routed Kansas City Kansas 8-0 in conference play Friday evening.

Howland scored a pair of first-half goals within six minutes of each other to help the Grizzlies (8-2 overall, 4-0 conference) take a 3-0 halftime lead over the Blue Devils, then added a third and team-high 14th goal overall on the season to complete the scoring in the 84th minute.

Howland also also added an assist in the second half, which matched her career-high of seven points scored in a game.

Winners of eight straight games, Butler opened the scoring in the 18th minute when sophomore midfielder Lexi Clark scored from just inside the top of the 12-yard box on a corner kick set piece.

Howland followed with her first goal of the game eight minutes later on a pass from Katie Hartman, then added a second goal with her left foot just outside the 6-yard goal box.

In the 56th minute, the Grizzlies went up 4-0 on an open-net goal by Michelle Palfrey, who scored her third goal in three games. Kennedy Weaver blasted a shot from the right side that was deflected by the diving KCK keeper, which went right to Palfrey for the easy goal.

Butler added four goals in the final 20 minutes, beginning with Hartman scoring in the 70th minute on an assist from Laurie Theis. Caro Limon put the Grizzlies up 6-0 with a goal just in front of the net courtesy of a one-touch pass from Howland.

Sophomore forward Lauren Allan connected on the Grizzlies' longest goal of the game, blasting a right-footed shot from nearly 15 yards out in the 79th minute. Howland then completed her hat trick by shooting the ball past the keeper and just inside the left side of the goal.

Jami Reichenberger was credited with the shutout and only faced one shot on goal in the 90 minutes.

Butler will host Coffeyville in a Jayhawk Conference game on Sunday. Kickoff from BG Products Veterans Sports Complex is at 5:00 p.m.

NOTES: Butler improved to 11-0-0 overall against Kansas City Kansas... Howland has scored 33 points (14 goals, five assists) over the Grizzlies' eight-game winning streak. In five games this season, Howland has scored two or more goals.