Bulldogs Blank Xavier, 1-0

CINCINNATI, OHIO -- Senior Kyle Pateros broke a 0-0 deadlock 15 minutes into the second half and Butler held on to take a 1-0 decision from host Xavier in a non-league men’s soccer match at the XU Soccer Complex on Saturday, Sept. 4.  The win was Butler’s second in as many outings this season.

Despite out-shooting the Musketeers, 11-1, in the first half, including three shots on goal, Butler went to the locker room at halftime with a scoreless tie.  The match remained scoreless until the 59th minute.

Sophomore Jared Isenthal started the decisive play with a pass to Pateros in front of the goal.  Pateros re-directed the pass with a header past Xaiver goalkeeper Justin Marshall.  It was the second goal of the young season for the Butler midfielder.

Butler goalkeeper Fabian Knopfler had all three of his saves in the match in the final 25 minutes, including one on a shot by Xavier’s El-Hadji Dieng with seven and a half minutes remaining.  The shutout was Knopfler’s second this season and the 12th of his career.

The Bulldogs dominated most of the match, out-shooting their counterparts, 24-5.  Thirteen different Butler players attempted a shot in the match, with senior Ben Sippola and sophomores Julian Cardona and Blake Leyden each attempting three shots.  Pateros and Cardona each had two shots on goal.  Marshall finished the contest with 11 saves.

Butler will return to action against Houston Baptist at the Kentucky Tournament on Friday, Sept. 10.  The Bulldogs will then face Loyola Marymount in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday, Sept. 12.