Dawgs down Falcons in home opener
Image credit: Butler Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS — Selected as a member of the Preseason All-Big East Team, Butler attacker Paige Monaghan’s exceptional offensive abilities were no secret entering 2017. So what’s different this season? The junior is now excelling in a slightly different role, proving that she’s a complete player on both sides of the ball.
Monaghan’s dissecting runs and two-way play helped carry the Bulldogs to a 2-0 home win Sunday against the Bowling Green Falcons. The victory moved Butler to 2-1-1 on the season.
Listed as a striker, Monaghan dropped deeper than normal and started at right midfield. The tactical change paid dividends. She was quite dangerous going forward, and also met her defensive obligations by tracking back when needed. In fact, at times she got so far behind the ball that she looked like a wing back. About halfway through the first half she shifted over to the left side and was equally versatile over there.
The Bulldogs came out in a 3-4-3 formation that often played like a 3-6-1. Breann Pempek, Halle Stelbasky and Elena Gutlove started up top, with Stelbasky acting as the target striker. Pempek and Gutlove played underneath and helped out in the midfield.
Today’s Starting XI vs. Bowling Green #GODAWGS pic.twitter.com/1DEkXBgjaJ
— Butler Womens Soccer (@ButlerWSoccer) August 27, 2017
Central defensive midfielders Brenna Pawelkowski and Madison Toth sat in front of and shielded the back line while often initiating the attack. The Butler defense impressed, not just with its organization and closing of space, but also its build-up play. The back three linked well with the midfield to spark several Butler charges forward.
After neither team could find the back of the net early, the hosts finally unlocked the Bowling Green defense in the 73rd minute. Pempek played freshman forward Caitlyn DiSarcina through into space, who calmly slotted the ball home on a breakaway. And minutes later, the Bulldogs doubled their lead through Gutlove. Freshman defender Julia Leonard found junior midfielder Gabrielle Lemkuil on the left side of the pitch, who then served a perfect diagonal ball over the top of the defense to a streaking Gutlove for the finish.
Monaghan didn’t get on the scoresheet, but her impactful play all over the field was worthy of woman of the match consideration. She led the Dawgs with six shots, three of which she put on frame.
Midfielder Madison Schupbach was a standout performer for the Falcons. She only put one of her four shot attempts on goal, but her sly movement off the ball allowed her to discover numerous pockets of space.
Bowling Green (2-1-0) will host Michigan State on Friday, while Butler’s next test is a Friday home match against Eastern Michigan. It remains to be seen if the Monaghan-in-the-midfield scenario will be a permanent staple in the plans of co-head coaches Tari St. John and Rob Alman or if it’s a temporary experiment, but judging by the versatility Monaghan displayed Sunday it might become a sticky trend.
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