Bulldogs Defeat Milwaukee, 1-0, In League Opener

Junior Kyle Pateros scored a goal with just 0:23 left in the first half and Butler made that shot the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over visiting Milwaukee at the Butler Bowl on Friday (Sept. 25).  The match was the Horizon League opener for both teams.

Pateros delivered the decisive blow as the first half wound to a close.  He took a long pass from sophomore teammate Matt Hedges, broke free up the left side of the field and slipped a shot past Milwaukee goalkeeper John Shakon from eight yards out.  The eventual game-winner nestled into the lower right corner of the goal, the second tally of the season for Pateros.

“Matt (Hedges) served a great ball over the top,” said Butler head coach Kelly Findley after the win.  “K.P. (Pateros) was ready and he made a great finishing play.”

The play by Hedges and Pateros capped a first half that saw Butler out-shoot the visitors, 11-3.  Shakon had several outstanding saves for the Panthers, including one on a penalty kick by Butler’s Boris Gatzky less than two minutes into the contest.  Shakon finished with four saves in the first half and six for the game.

“We did an excellent job of creating scoring opportunities,” added Findley.  “(Milwaukee’s) goalkeeper was stellar.”

Butler (5-1-0), led by Gatzky's eight shot attempts, finished the match with a 19-6 advantage in shots and a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.  Milwaukee (1-7-0) managed just two shots on goal, both stopped by Butler goalkeeper Nick Hegeman.  It was the second shutout of the season for Hegeman and the 10th of his Butler career.

“I’m really pleased with the way we played,” continued Findley, who picked up his 51st career victory in his 91st career match.  “We played really well front to back and we had good ball movement.”

“Our younger guys are starting to mature and gain confidence,” added the Butler coach.

The Bulldogs won’t have much time to savor the victory.  Unbeaten and league-leading Green Bay visits the Butler Bowl on Sunday, Sept. 27, for a 3:30 p.m. (ET) match against Butler.  The Phoenix (6-0-2) defeated Wright State, 4-1, on Friday.