BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (SMU) – Taylor Barg's goal in the 64th minute was her first of the season and fifth of her career, but the Mustangs fell to Butler, 2-1, at Bill Armstrong Stadium Friday afternoon.
 
"I thought we played well enough to win," SMU head coach Chris Petrucelli said. "We fought back hard in the second half, but we couldn't find a second (goal)."
 
SMU (2-1-0) topped the Bulldogs (3-1-1) in shots, 12-5, shots on goal, 4-2, and corner kicks, 5-3. Alongside Barg, Vanessa Valadez and Blair Thorpe each had at least one shot on goal.
 
Serina Kashimoto gave Butler a quick 1-0 lead, scoring in the sixth minute of the game. The senior, a 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list candidate, managed to collect a rebounded shot and tap in for the goal.
 
In the second half, Butler took a 2-0 lead after Breann Pempek found the net in the 48th minute. After coming off the bench, the sophomore forward found the upper-right corner just beating the diving SMU starting goalkeeper, Catie Brown.
 
Senior defender Barg cut SMU's deficit to one in the 64th minute, heading a cross from freshman Jessica Cooley into the net from six yards out. Cooley now has three assists in as many games in her career.
 
SMU rounds off the Hoosier Challenge Cup Monday against host-school Indiana at 1 p.m. ET/12 CT. The game can be followed via BTN2Go (live stream), via StretchInternet (Audio) or live stats.
 
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following SMU women's soccer on Twitter at @SMUSoccerW, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SMUSoccerw, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/SMUSoccerW. Twitter at @SMUMustangs or Instagram at SMU.Mustangs.
 

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