Butler senior captain Eric Leonard has been named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in a pair of shutouts for the Bulldogs. The conference office made the announcement Monday, Oct. 23.
 
The Palatine, Ill., product filled in where he was needed as the usual midfielder played on the back line in both of the Bulldogs' matches this week. Leonard anchored the back line from the center back position as Butler tied the top-ranked Hoosiers, 0-0, Wednesday night in front of the largest men's soccer crowd in Butler history. He was pressed into duty on the back line as Joe Moulden was forced to sit out the match after accumulating his fifth yellow card of the season.
 
The Butler defense then shut out Villanova 1-0 in league action Saturday night in Indianapolis. Once again, Leonard was on the back line, this time alongside Moulden.
 
Leonard and the Butler defense limited IU to only eight shots. Against the Wildcats, Butler would only allow seven shots. For the week, Butler held opponents scoreless for 200 minutes of action.
 
On the season, Leonard has started all 14 matches for the 9-4-1 Bulldogs and leads the team with 32 shots. He has one assist.
 
Eric Dick was recognized on the BIG EAST's five-player weekly honor roll. He posted a pair of shutouts last week, including a 0-0 double-overtime draw against No. 1 Indiana Wednesday, followed by a 1-0 win over Villanova Saturday night. Dick has three straight shutouts (including one over DePaul last week) and has held opponents scoreless for the last 320 minutes of game action. He is up to seven shutouts of the season, including four of the Bulldogs' six BIG EAST matches.

The Bulldogs play their next two matches on the road, traveling to Seton Hall Wednesday and Marquette Saturday. Butler returns to the Sellick Bowl for the regular season finale Nov. 1 against Xavier. All three matches will air live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, part of the FOX Sports Go app.