Soccer splits pair of contests in Iowa to open 2012 season

The Butler soccer team opened the 2012 regular season with a split of two contests in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Grizzlies lost to Iowa Western on Friday in a matchup of top 10 teams in the nation before defeating Illinois Central on Saturday.

The Grizzlies, ranked fourth in the NSCAA preseason poll, dropped their season opener in overtime to fellow national power Iowa Western, which is ranked eighth. The game was scoreless through regulation and the first eight minutes of the first overtime period before the Reivers' Juliana Oliveira scored the game-winner in a 1-0 decision.

After being shut out in their first game, the Grizzlies responded offensively on Saturday against Illinois Central in a 4-2 win. Butler got two goals in the first half, one on an unassisted shot by midfielder Mari Ruvalcaba and the other from sophomore transfer Simone Arthur on an assist by Abby Ponce.

Illinois Central would add its first goal in the closing seconds of the first half to cut Butler's lead in half at the intermission, 2-1.

The Grizzlies scored the next two goals of the contest to take a 4-1 lead, the first coming from freshman Tasja Toumasis on an assist by Mari Ruvalcaba in the 61^st minute. Then in the 74^th minute, sophomore Alyssa Miller scored her first goal with an assist by Simone Arthur.

Illinois Central added a late goal in the 87^th minute, but would not threaten the Grizzlies further as they held on for the non-conference victory.

Butler now returns to El Dorado for its home opener aganst Allen County, which will be the first sporting event ever held in the new BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.