Butler downs DePaul, snaps 2-game skid
Photo credit: Butler men’s soccer
INDIANAPOLIS — A losing streak isn’t something the Butler men’s soccer team is accustomed to, nor particularly fond of. After suffering two consecutive road defeats at Georgetown and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Bulldogs decided enough was enough.
Butler returned to Big East play Saturday evening at the Sellick Bowl with a convincing 1-0 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons. The win moved the Bulldogs to 8-4 on the season and 4-1 in conference.
Prolific sophomore striker Brandon Guhl, Butler’s leading scorer, opened the scoring in the 10th minute on an unassisted tally. DePaul goalkeeper Quentin Low botched a clearance that went right to Guhl, who calmly slotted the ball home at the near post. The 1-0 scoreline held until late, when Guhl completed his brace in the 81st. Defender Alex Lehtinen linked up with midfielder Isaac Galliford to co-provide the assist on Guhl’s second.
Nice win for @ButlerMenSoccer tonight over DePaul. Close to the action. Coach Snape was locked in for our first goal … pic.twitter.com/fOuGNClF1y
— Mike Freeman 🐶 (@MichaelSFreeman) October 15, 2017
Things could’ve been worse for DePaul, especially in the first half. A leaky defense caused the visitors trouble marking Butler attackers throughout, most noticeably on services into the box.
Bulldogs ‘keeper Eric Dick, one of the steadiest brick walls in all of NCAA soccer, had a relatively stress-free evening. But the 6-5 senior did end up getting called into action for six relatively routine saves.
Midfielders Eric Leonard and Lewis Suddick, and defender Michael Peay also turned in excellent shifts for the home side. The entire squad mostly played well except for taking its foot off the gas pedal for stretches of the second half.
DePaul avoided what probably should’ve been a red card in the 70th minute. Blue Demons defender Anton Sell got beat by a streaking Butler attacker, who would’ve been one-v-one with Low if not for Sell’s deliberate foul. It was a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, but Sell only received a yellow.
The Blue Demons fell to 4-8-1 overall with the loss, and 1-3-1 in the Big East. They’ll look to rebound Tuesday at Loyola.
Next up for 20th-ranked Butler is a heavyweight showdown with No. 1 Indiana on Wednesday. Last year, the Bulldogs and Hoosiers produced a thrilling five-goal affair that Indiana won 3-2 in overtime at Armstrong Stadium. The Dawgs get their turn to host the rivalry match at the Sellick Bowl this season.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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