TURLOCK, Calif. (Sept. 1) -- Central Washington University sophomore goalkeeper Kori Butterfield (Duvall, Wash./Cedarcrest HS) matched her career-high with eight saves en route to her second career shutout, helping the Wildcats earn a scoreless tie against California State University, Stanislaus, in the 2011 women’s soccer opener on Thursday night at Warrior Stadium.

The stalemate marked Central’s first 0-0 tie in over two years, and snapped a three-game losing streak in season openers dating back to the 2008 season.

“Kori was amazing,” CWU head coach Michael Farrand said. “She was by far the player-of-the game for us tonight.”

Butterfield held her own against a Warrior offense that amassed 30 shots over 110 minutes of play on the evening, while Central was only able to muster five shots, none of which were on goal.

Despite being outshot 22-3 in regulation, Central Washington was able to force the Warriors into overtime. CSUS outshot the Wildcats 8-0 in the first half and 14-3 in the second, and Butterfield recorded seven of her eight saves in the first two periods. CWU was held without a shot for nearly two-thirds of regulation before junior Carson McKole (Oak Harbor, Wash.) missed wide of the Warrior goal in the 58th minute.

The overtime periods were not much different as CSUS outshot the Wildcats 8-2, and neither team was able to threaten the opposing goal.

“It wasn’t the prettiest way to start the season,” Farrand added, “but we grinded it out and survived against a quality opponent.”

The Warriors also took an 11-0 edge in corner kicks, marking the first time since Oct. 4, 2008 against Western Washington that the Wildcats were held without a corner opportunity.

Up next for Central Washington are two more road games in northern California against Sonoma State University on Saturday (Sept. 3) at 1 p.m., followed by a contest at San Francisco State University on Monday (Sept. 5) at 2 p.m. The Wildcats’ home opener is next Thursday (Sept. 8) at 5 p.m. versus Northwest University.

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