IPFW displayed strong defense in its women's soccer pre-season schedule and that continued into its season opening match with Butler on Sunday. However, a lack of offensive production cost the Mastodons, as they fell 1-0.
Butler's lone goal came with just under three minutes to play in the first half.
The Bulldogs dominated play early in the first half, putting two early chances at goal, one that went wide and one saved by goalkeeper Sam Pavlika.
Play evened as the half moved along, with the Mastodons putting a number of good chances at goal, none stronger than Erin Gill, who saw her shot from five yards out stopped by the Butler goalkeeper.
With just under three minutes left in the first half, Butler broke the scoreless tie when Stephanie Kaylor found Addison Schaar with a long pass to the middle, which she took and put it past Pavlika for the first goal allowed in the season.
The second half was highly defensive, with the majority of the play coming in the midfield. IPFW had a number of solid shot attempts, but none could find the back of the net, as the Bulldogs held on for the 1-0 victory.
Pavlika picked up the loss, giving up just the one goal while picking up four saves. Maya Reyes had a team-high three shot attempts, with IPFW's only attempt on goal coming from Gill in the first half.
IPFW will host Toledo on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Hefner Soccer Complex.
