Butler suffers rare home shutout in season-opening loss to Iowa Western

For the first time since 2008, Butler soccer was held without a goal in a home contest as the 12th-ranked Grizzlies fell 2-0 to No. 9 Iowa Western on Wednesday at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.

The loss not only ended a streak of 93 straight home games with at least one Butler goal, but also marked the first time the Grizzlies lost a home opener. Prior to Wednesday's loss, Butler was 15-0-1 all-time in home openers.

Butler's last contest held without a goal at home came back on Oct. 18, 2008 in a 2-0 loss to Barton.

Iowa Western scored in the 14th minute as a ball sent in by Jessica Curtis went over Grizzly goalkeeper Bethany Reeves and right to Ashley Overberg, who had an easy open look for the goal.

The Reivers added their second goal just two minutes into the second half when Laura Chavez hit a left-footed shot past Reeves from 15 yards out.

Butler had two solid chances for goals in the second half, the first coming on a ball played back to Reivers keeper Whitney Dockweiler. Iowa Western tapped the ball back to Dockweiler, but the ball ricocheted too strong and went right to the feet of Alexis Palmer, who fired a shot on goal from 10 yards away. However, Palmer's shot was directed right at Dockweiler.

In the 74th minute, Butler's Zion DeWerff had a 1-on-1 opportunity after a pass from Alyssa Knaak slipped through the Iowa Western defense, but Dockweiler again was able to make the save.

Iowa Western outshot Butler 9-4 for the contest and had a 2-0 advantage on corner kicks.

The Grizzlies will hit the road for consecutive games in Oklahoma City this weekend, beginning with a neutral matchup Saturday against defending NJCAA champion Tyler, Texas at 1:00 p.m. Tyler is ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. Butler will then face Rose State, Okla., on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

NOTES: With the loss, Butler falls to 5-8-1 all-time against Iowa Western. The Reivers picked up their just their third win in El Dorado and first since a 2-1 win on Sept. 28, 2008... Butler is now 12-4-1 in season-opening games... Butler suffered just its fourth loss at home since BG Products Veterans Sports Complex opened in 2012. The Grizzlies are 55-4-1 overall at their home stadium.