Bulldogs Fall to Michigan State in NCAA Tournament, 2-1

Nov. 23, 2001

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Thomas Trivelloni drilled a shot into the back of the net with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest to lead Michigan State to a 2-1 victory over Butler in the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship at Bill Armstrong Stadium on the Indiana University campus on Friday, Nov. 23. The victory advances the Spartans to a second round match against host Indiana on Sunday, Nov. 25.

Trivelloni, the brother of former Butler soccer player Michael Trivelloni, took a pass from teammate Steve Arce and fired a shot past Butler goalkeeper Grant Barrie at the 83:08 mark to break a 1-1 tie. It was Trivelloni 8th goal of the season.

"We had a problem defending the outside all game, and they took advantage," stated Butler head coach Joe Sochacki. "We tried to funnel their play to the middle, but it seemed like we were scrambling to find a man all night."

Butler took the early lead in the contest when sophomore Chance Ernst fielded a header from senior Craig Cochran on the left side of the net and nailed a shot past Michigan State goalkeeper Mike Robinson. It was the third goal of the season for Ernst and gave Butler a 1-0 advantage just 18 minutes into the match.

Michigan State tied the game 13 minutes later on an unassisted goal by Craig Hearn.

The Bulldogs, playing without injured defender Ryan Marques, dodged several point-blank attempts by the Spartans in the second half, thanks to the play of Barrie. Butler's goalkeeper finished the game with six saves.

Butler pressed the Spartans in the final five minutes, but couldn't come up with a goal to tie the match. Senior Nick Pantazi had the Bulldogs' final attempt with just seconds remaining, but it bounced off the post.

"This was the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for our players, and my first trip as a head coach," said Sochacki.

"We were all a little nervous and I think it affected our intensity level. Hopefully, we learned something, and we'll be better prepared the next time."

Butler ended its first season under Sochacki with an 11-9 record and a championship in the Horizon League.