Butler finishes fifth at NJCAA Division I tournament

The Butler women's soccer team finished fifth in the nation for the 2011 season after winning their final two games at the NJCAA Division 1 women's soccer national tournament in Melbourne, Fla.

The Grizzlies, who opened the tournament with a tough 1-0 loss to Harford (Md.), bounced back to eliminate Waubonsee (Ill.) in a consolation bracket semifinal game on Friday.

Natausha Sanchez scored Butler's first goal in that contest as the Grizzlies went up 1-0 in the first half. Butler then poured in three goals in the second half, the first by Alyssa Miller on an assist by Sanchez and the final two goals by Carla Daniels, the first on a rebound of a ball that was bouncing in front of the goal and the second on a breakaway.

That win gave Butler a day off on Saturday in preparation to play for the consolation final on Sunday against Monroe College from New York, a program that has won eight national championships.

Butler appeared undaunted by Monroe's credentials, getting a goal in the first half, again from Sanchez this time on an pass by JeeHye Yi, her first assist of the season.