Oct. 28, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue notched a 6-1 victory over Butler in the final regular-season game at the Varsity Soccer Complex. The game was the last home game for seniors Elizabeth Boldt, Tricia Henderson, Kerry Maloney, and Katie Redmond. With the win, the Boilermakers improve to 9-5-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs drop to 10-6.
Purdue got on the board early, when freshman forward Lauren Sesselmann took a pass from freshman midfielder Kim Comisar, and placed it by the Butler goalkeeper. The goal was Sesselmann's ninth on the season, adding to her single-season points record. The record was also set for the quickest goal scored by a Purdue player, at 0:50. The goal broke Annette Kent's previous record of 3:31 of a year ago.
"When you come out and score early, it's always good," said Purdue head coach Rob Klatte. "Eventually we were able to put them away in the first half."
Butler quickly responded, when Amy Morrison scored on a break away from Krista Rott and Martha Gudiel at 4:48.
"I'm disappointed that we let them back in with a goal," added Klatte. "That is something that we will work on for the next game."
Purdue got the lead back four minutes later when Comisar netted a goal of her own. Sophomore forward Courtney Coppedge and sophomore defender Krystal Pepper assisted. The goal was Comisar's second of the season.
"I was glad we were able to finish on our chances early," said Klatte. "It's always nice when you can put away a victory in the first half, as we did today."
The Boilermakers ended the first half with a flurry of goals, started off by sophomore forward Annette Kent. Kent took a pass from Pepper, and shot a glorious ball just inside the far post. Five minutes later, junior defender Kelli Merrit netted her first goal of the season, when she gathered the rebound from Kent's shot, and put it into an open net over the Butler keeper, who was still on the ground.
The first-half scoring ended when senior midfielder Katie Redmond scored on a cross from sophomore forward Jennie Moppert. On the goal, senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Boldt recorded her first career assist when she cleared the ball up the field to Moppert on the right side.
In the second half, some fresh faces were seen on the field for the Boilermakers, as freshmen Crystal Rivas and Lori Podell made their first collegiate appearance. Freshman goalkeeper Maureen Carey recorded 18:48 in goal, including her first collegiate save.
"Overall we had a good performance," said Klatte. "I'm happy we were able to get some players some time who hadn't seen any, yet this season. It gave our staff a chance to take a look at them and see their personal development."
Kent finished Purdue's scoring for the day when she received a cross from freshman Arin Yarc, and put it in the lower right corner. The assist was Yarc's first of her career.
The Boilermakers will return to action when they travel to Central Michigan on Friday, Nov. 2, to take on the Chippewas. Game time is 3 p.m. EST.
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