September 18, 2010

PONTIAC, MICH. -- Sophomore Julian Cardona scored less than 12 minutes into the second half and Butler made that score stand in a 1-0 victory over Oakland in a non-league match at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., on Saturday (Sept. 18) evening.  The win boosted the Bulldogs to 5-0 on the season.

Cardona's timely goal came at 56:51, when the Butler forward took a pass from teammate Austin Oldham and finished with a shot past Oakland goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt.  It was Cardona's second goal of the season.

The Bulldogs then weathered an energized assault from the Golden Grizzlies, who unleashed eight shots in the final 31 minutes.  Butler goalkeeper Fabian Knopfler recorded two of this three saves in the match in the final nine minutes.

Cardona and Oldham each had a team-high two shots in the match, and each had a shot on goal.  Senior Jacob Capito also had a pair of shots, while sophomore Jared Isenthal had Butler's remaining shot on goal.

Knopfler, who recorded his third shutout and fifth victory of the season, finished with three saves.  He boosted his career total for shutouts to 13, third most in Butler men's soccer history.

Oakland (1-5) out-shot the Bulldogs in the match, 13-11, and matched Butler with three shots on goal.  The Bulldogs finished with an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Bulldogs will begin Horizon League play on the road with back-to-back matches at Green Bay and Milwaukee.  Butler will face Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 24, and then visit Milwaukee on Sunday, Sept. 26.