Butler falls in OT, finishes third at national championships

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Butler women's soccer team saw its season come to an end on Friday night with a 1-0 overtime loss to No. 3 Navarro in the NJCAA semifinals at Eastern Florida State College.

The loss end's the deepest run in the national tournament in school history. Butler finishes 21-3-2, the third consecutive season with more than 20 wins and third consecutive trip to the national tournament. This is the first time, however, Butler had reached the final four.

Once there, Butler couldn't score despite numerous opportunities. But the Grizzlies defense was equal to the challenge, at least through regulation. The game went to overtime and Butler struggled in the extra period. Eventually, Navarro wore down the Butler defense and punched in a goal with 2:56 left in the first overtime.

Navarro now moves on to play in tomorrow's national championship match against No. 1-ranked Iowa Western, a team Butler defeated 2-1 in overtime in the season opener.

Butler's 21 wins ties for second best in school history. The Grizzlies won 22 games a year and 21 in 2011.