WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (www.purduesports.com) – Butler’s Sophia Maccagnone converted on a penalty kick opportunity near the midpoint the of the second half and the goal held up as the only score of the night, allowing the Bulldogs to defeat Purdue women’s soccer, 1-0, Wednesday evening in the opener of a six-game homestand.

Butler (3-2) posted its first win in the seven all-time meetings in the history of the in-state series. The Boilermakers (2-2) were shutout at the Varsity Soccer Complex for the first time since losing to Nebraska on Sept. 23 of last season, ending a streak of six consecutive home games with a goal.

The Bulldogs’ team bench had lobbied the referee diligently for a foul call on Purdue goalkeeper Clara Kridler as she and a Purdue defender kept the attacking Butler player away from the ball on the outside edge of the six-yard box. About three minutes later, Tayler Francel was whistled for a foul in the heart of the 18-yard box as she and a Butler player went up to win a 50-50 ball that had been served in from the west sideline.

Butler got the call and was granted a penalty kick opportunity in the 67th minute. Maccagnone was selected as the shooter and she beat Kridler with a shot into the left side of the net.

Purdue held the Bulldogs without a corner kick on the night but was also only able to create three chances itself. Coincidentally, Emma Lancaster and Jordan Frick each nearly bent in a corner for a goal. In both the first and second halves, Butler defenders stationed along the goal line were able to head the ball away before their goalkeeper or a Purdue player could make a play on the service.

After recording only one shot on goal in the first half, the Boilers were able to create some chances not long after play resumed following the break. Both teams challenged the opposing goalkeeper multiple times in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Purdue had shots on goal from Hadley Stuart, Makaela Nellams and Taylor Niewoit during that stretch. Mackenzie Hopkins’ sliding save on Stuart on the left side of the six-yard box was the finest stop of active sequence.

In an effort to equalize, the Boilers went to a 3-4-3 formation with two attacking midfielders for the final 20 minutes of the game. They were able to create two corner kick chances during that stretch. Hopkins also made a key save on a shot by Stuart in the 84th minute. The goalkeeper gave up a big rebound but was able to pounce on the loose ball before a Purdue player could make a play on it.

Hopkins finished with five saves in her third shutout performance of the season. Butler has either shutout its opponent or been blanked itself in its first five games this year.

Kridler made four saves in 69 minutes of action. She was relieved by Yana Lyon about two minutes after the penalty kick score.

Nellams made her first collegiate start Wednesday in place of Jordan Pawlik, who suffered a concussion Sunday in practice. Jessica Bernard played the final few minutes of the first half, becoming the sixth Boiler to make her collegiate debut this season. Kim Love, Jessica Warren, Frick and Stuart went the distance among the Purdue field players. Taylor Niewoit logged 60 minutes to lead the reserves.

The Boilermakers continue their six-game homestand Friday against Tennessee-Martin. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

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