Butler's 2017 season came to a close with a 2-0 defeat at top-ranked Wake Forest Sunday afternoon in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs finish the season with a 14-5-2 mark and match the best postseason run in program history.
 
After a scoreless first half, the host Demon Deacons scored in the 52^nd minute as Brandon Servania found the net off an Ema Twumasi assist.
 
Jon Bakero gave Wake Forest, ranked No. 1 nationally and the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, an insurance goal in the 86^th minute for the final margin.
 
Eric Dick made five saves for Butler as Wake Forest had a 19-6 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in corner kicks.
 
Andreu Cases Mundet posted the shutout for Wake Forest, which included two saves.
 
Wake Forest improves to 19-1-2 on the season and advances to the NCAA quarterfinals.
 
Brandon Guhl had three shots for Butler.
 
Butler, behind wins over Lipscomb and No. 16 seed VCU, matched the best NCAA Tournament finish in program history, making the final 16 teams as they also did in 1995 and 1998.
 
Butler graduates five players off this season's roster, including BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Eric Dick and fellow starters Eric Leonard and Bennett Kim.
 
However, coach Paul Snape and his staff, which led the Bulldogs to a regular season BIG EAST championship, return eight starters and players who scored 30 of the team's 31 goals this season.