Sept. 13, 2005
By Dave Murray
Purdue Sports Information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue snapped its three-match losing streak after receiving a pair of second-half goals in its 2-1 win over Butler. Tuesday's win at the Varsity Soccer Complex lifted the Boilermakers' overall record to 2-4, while the Bulldogs dropped to 3-3.
In the eight-year history of the Boilermakers, the team has erased a halftime deficit only twice, including today. But even long-time head coach Rob Klatte could not remember who they previously came back against.
Purdue dominated almost the enitre match, but could not light its end of the scoreboard until the 68th minute when Kira Bilecky connected with Kalie Grambeau for the game-tying score. Bilecky lofted the ball towards the goal box, where it first bounced off the ground before Grambeau headed it into left corner. The goal was Grambeau's second of the season and the assist was Bilecky's first.
The game-winner was scored by Jessica Okoroafo with five minutes remaining in the match, after receiving the perfect assist from Jayme-Lee Biamonte on the left side. Okoroafo, standing four-yards back, quickly one-timed the ball past Butler goalkeeper Annalise Larkin.
Okoroafo's goal was her second of the season, tying Grambeau for the team lead.
Purdue played some of its best soccer of the season in the second half, outshooting the Bulldogs, 13-1. For the game, Butler was outshot, 26-7. Parrissa Eyorokon led all players with six shots, Kim Comisar had five and Okoroafo had four.
If there is one problem area the Boilermakers should address after today, it's their poor aim. Of the team's 26 shots, only seven of them were on goal, a success rate of just 27 percent. Purdue entered Tuesday's match with a .516 shot-on-goal percentage, putting 47 of its 91 shots on goal.
Butler took advantage of a Boilermaker defensive miscue in scoring its lone goal, which was registered by Angie Muir in the fifth minute. Muir was given a wide-open shot after collecting Meredith Buemi's rebound off the left post. With two Boilermaker defenders down and Purdue goalkeeper Lauren Mason out of position, Muir easily made it a 1-0 ball game.
The Bulldogs were presented with only two more opportunities to score in the first half, but a Muir free kick sailed a centimeter over the crossbar, and a Caitlin Gill one vs. one situation concluded with a Mason save. Butler rarely saw their offensive end in the second period, taking only one shot, which was scooped by Mason.
Mason completed the match with just three saves in the winning effort, while Larkin was forced to make five.
The Boilermakers play game two of a three-game homestand this Friday at 4 p.m., playing host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska beat the Boilermakers last season in Lincoln, Neb., 3-0.