INDIANAPOLIS--North Dakota State overcame a 1-0 deficit at half to storm past Butler 2-1 on Monday, Oct. 11.  Two goals early in the second half and strong goalkeeping by junior Kelli Reed lifted the Bison (4-6-1) to a win at Varsity Field in front of 98 fans.

“It was nice to get the result I think we've deserved so many other times this year,” head coach Pete Cuadrado commented.  The Bison victory completed a busy weekend of soccer.  NDSU played three one-goal matches in four days, losing 1-0 to Valparaiso on Friday and 2-1 to IUPUI on Sunday.  “We've been playing really good soccer the last few weeks and it was nice to get over that hump.”

Butler's Ashley Twehues opened the scoring at the 30 minute mark with a top left corner goal past Reed.  Butler (4-7-2) took 13 shots in the first half compared to NDSU's four.

Two Bison freshmen erased Butler's lead and put NDSU in front.  First, Michelle Martinez found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Katie Sanders after a nifty set up from teammate Jessica Rodgers.  She scored her third goal of the season at 48:10 to tie the score 1-1.

Ten minutes later, freshman Kelsey Hohol laced a shot that took a funny hop on Sanders and found the back of the net.  The fortuitous bounce gave NDSU a lead it would not relinquish. 

“Butler is a great team,” said Cuadrado of the Horizon League opponent.  “It was definitely a hard-fought win.  I was really pleased with our play.  A lot of positive things happened today.”

NDSU finished with 11 shots.  Butler attempted 23.  Martinez led the attack with 5 shots and Carly Christensen added three. 

Reed and the defense were instrumental in the win.  She made seven saves to gain the victory. 

Next up for the Bison is a trip to Greeley, Colo. for the Best Western Regency Northern Colorado Classic on Oct. 15 and 17.  The Bison will meet Carroll College on Friday at 1 p.m., followed by host UNC on Sunday, also at 1 p.m in the weekend tournament.