INDIANAPOLIS – The first exhibition match of the 2017 season will be played on Saturday for the Butler men's soccer program. The Bulldogs will host the Michigan Wolverines at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. Kick-off is slated for 3 PM and admission is free to all fans.
 
The contest between Butler and Michigan will be the only home exhibition contest of the three on the schedule. All three preseason opponents come from the Big Ten Conference as BU will travel to Ohio State on Wednesday, Aug. 16 and then play the Michigan State Spartans on a neutral field in Fort Wayne just two days later.
 
The Bulldogs finished the 2016 season with a 13-5-2 overall record which included a 6-3 mark against conference foes. They placed second in the conference standings and were ranked No. 18 in the country.
 
The 2016 team won the BIG EAST Championship Tournament with a double overtime, 1-0 shutout in the semifinals against Villanova and a 2-1 victory against Creighton in the finals. Their season came to a close in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a 0-0 match went down to penalty kicks. SIUE advanced, winning the PK battle 5-4.
 
Highlighting the group of returners for the 2017 team is junior midfielder Jared Timmer. The 2016 All-BIG EAST First Team selection led the conference with nine assists during his sophomore season. He added two goals during the regular season to post 13 total points.
 
Lewis Suddick and Isaac Galliford also earned BIG EAST hardware after the end of the regular season. The duo landed on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Six of Suddick's 11 goals came in BIG EAST play. His three game-winning goals during the regular season tied David Goldsmith for the team lead.
 
Galliford's 53 shots on the season were second on the team. His 13 points came on four goals and six assists. Both Suddick and Galliford were unanimous selections to the rookie team.