September 9, 2005 SYCAMORES COME UP SHORT IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE WITH BUTLER 0-1 TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- It was a defensive battle on Friday when the Indiana State Sycamores fell to the Butler Bulldogs 1-0 in Terre Haute. ISU sophomores Meaghan Gaffney fielded the center of the defense and goal keeper Rachel Rudzis kept Butler to only one score despite the 13 shots fired. The Sycamores would have their chances on six shots, four on goal, which never quite connected for the home team. “I told the girls after the game today that the loss wasn’t because we didn’t compete,” head coach Vernon Croft said. “I think the girls were a little more focused and little more prepared for this game.” The Sycamores showed a lot of aggression on the field and, for the first time this year, committed more penalties than their opponent. The only blemish for the defense was a ball that Rudzis bobbled in front of the goal that rolled into the net at 17:30 for the Bulldog’s only goal. Butler freshman Angie Muir was credited with the goal and senior Meredith Buemi tallied the assist. ISU tested the Bulldog defense, who packed six to seven players in the box at times, with shots from junior Beth Wagenhoffer and freshman Rachel Gordon. Wagenhoffer’s first shot was drilled at the keeper early in the first half and saved. In the second half Wagenhoffer would get another chance off a flip and cross from junior Nichole Tiggs that was brought in by the keeper. Gordon’s shots both were blasted from out of the box and just missed their target on both occasions. The Sycamores will have another chance at home for redemption when they face IUPUI on Sunday. The game is a rematch from last year in Indianapolis that ended in the Jaguars favor 3-0.
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