Bulldogs chop down Sycamores with 6th-straight clean sheet
Photo credit: Brent Smith/Butler women’s soccer
INDIANAPOLIS — This whole clean sheet thing has become a habit for the Butler women’s soccer team. Co-head coaches Tari St. John and Rob Alman aren’t complaining.
Fresh off winning some impressive accolades, Butler goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke continued her dominance in net in the team’s 1-0 win over Indiana State on Sunday. She wasn’t called into action too often, making just two saves, but commanded the box well and helped keep the defense organized in front of her.
Luedtke, a redshirt sophomore, was not only named Big East Goalkeeper of the Week, but also made Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week for her performances last week.
The shutout against the Sycamores was the Bulldogs’ sixth in a row to coincide with their six-game winning streak. It’s safe to say Luedtke and the back line in front of her are meshing well.
The goal came on a long header in the 71st minute by Breann Pempek, assisted by Madison Toth and Amanda Kowalski. Pempek’s consistent play up top earned her Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday.
After recording a game-winner for @ButlerWSoccer on Sunday, Breann Pempek is the #BIGEASTwsoc Offensive Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/g6Rn0wcEXC
— BIG EAST Conference (@BIGEAST) September 18, 2017
Despite grabbing the victory and outshooting Indiana State 14-4, overall it wasn’t one of Butler’s sharpest performances of the season. The Bulldogs only put six of those shots on frame and overall lacked polish in the final third.
But the Sycamores (4-4-1) only put two shots on goal themselves, which won’t get the job done against Butler’s exceptional goalkeeping and defending on most nights. One tally was all it took Sunday for the home side.
The Bulldogs (6-1-1) will host Chicago State (1-9) on Thursday, then begin Big East play Sunday at home against Marquette (7-2-1).
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Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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