Butler soccer edges Allen 2-1 for 10th conference victory

Butler freshman forward Zion DeWerff broke a 1-1 tie with a unassisted goal in the 81st minute to help the 20th-ranked Grizzlies defeat Allen County on Sunday.

With the win, the Grizzlies (13-4 overall, 10-1 conference) ran their winning streak to five games and remained a half-game ahead of Johnson County in the Jayhawk East standings. Butler will finish out the regular season Friday with a 4:00 p.m. home match against Kansas City Kansas.

Butler took a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the contest on a Ky Kreemer goal from seven yards out. Kreemer elevated to kick in a Michelle Palfrey pass from the left side.

Allen County would get an equalizer in the 61st minute when Brynn Suddeth blasted a shot from long range over the outstretched hands of Grlzzly keeper Elena Garcia.

DeWerff, who has scored five goals in the last five games, followed 20 minutes later with the eventual game-winner for the Grizzlies.

Butler had numerous opportunities before DeWerff's goal, as the Grizzlies outshot Allen 31-11 with 13 shots coming on goal and had a 6-1 corner kick advantage.

NOTES: Butler is now 20-0-1 all-time against Allen County and improved to 11-0-0 in games played in El Dorado. The one-goal margin was the closest contest in the series since a scoreless tie back on Sept. 26, 2014 in Iola.