Box Score

For the third time in program history, Butler is through to the Third Round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament. The Bulldogs defeated No. 16 seed VCU, 3-2, Sunday afternoon in Richmond, Va.

Butler overcame a 1-0 deficit by scoring three goals in less than five minutes early in the second half. Butler improves to 14-4-2 on the season, while VCU's season ends at 12-7.

In the 54^th minute, Joe Moulden headed down a cross at the feet of Alex Lehtinen, who was able to score from four yards out to tie the match. Less than four minutes later, Isaac Galliford played a ball into the box that Lewis Suddick was able to collect and score inside the right post. Butler's third goal came in the 59^th minute off the foot of Brandon Guhl.

Guhl's goal was his BIG EAST-leading 13^th of the season.

VCU took the early lead in the 25^th minute as Luc Fatton deflected a Butler pass and then took one touch on the bouncing ball to lob a shot over the head of keeper Eric Dick, who had come off his line expecting a pass from a teammate. Fatton's shot was from about 30 yards out.

That VCU goal sparked a Butler rally.

Less than three minutes later, Suddick played a ball through to Guhl, who was able to settle it out of mid-air, take one touch and his blast from 10 yards out was saved by VCU keeper. The Rams pushed the ball out of bounds for a Butler corner. Moulden's header off the ensuing corner went just high. Butler continued to attack on both sides of halftime until the three goals were registered.

VCU pulled within one off a set piece in the 63^rd minute as Ulrik Edvarsen headed in a free kick. However, Butler would be able to hold on over the last 27 minutes.

Butler turned away VCU's best and final chance with three minutes to play as the home team was able to get off three good looks in a frantic sequence inside the box. The first was saved by Dick, the second was blocked by a Butler defender, and the third attempt went just over the crossbar.

Butler entered Sunday's match ranked No. 19 in the United Soccer Coaches poll; VCU was ranked No. 22.

The Bulldogs also advanced to the final 16 in 1995 and 1998.

Both teams had 14 shots and five corners in Sunday's match. Dick made three saves.

Butler will play top-seeded Wake Forest a week from today (Sunday, Nov. 26) at 5 p.m. The Demon Deacons will host the match in Winston-Salem, N.C.