INDIANAPOLIS – Butler's second and final exhibition match of the year will be played on Friday at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. The 4 PM kick-off features free admission for all fans.
 
'Dawgs Beat Cats in First Exhibition Contest.
The Bulldogs defeated Northwestern on Tuesday afternoon by the final score of 3-2. The Wildcats were recently recognized as a nationally ranked program in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. On August 4, the first poll of the season landed Northwestern at No. 23. Butler's first opponent of the regular season is also on the list. The Notre Dame Fightin' Irish are ranked No. 18 in the preseason poll.
 
About the Opponent: Morehead State Eagles
Morehead State posted a 6-11-2 overall record in 2016. That mark included a 3-6-1 record against conference foes in the Ohio Valley. The team was 4-2-2 at home, but just 2-9 on the road. 
 
The young group will return a strong core of players that includes Ashley Ritchie, Cara Maher and goalkeeper Eva Helgadottir. Ritchie was fantastic in her freshman season by leading the Eagles in points. She came up with a team-high eight goals and two assists for 18 points. Maher, who enters her junior year as a midfielder, placed second on the squad with three goals and two assists for eight points.
 
The defense will run through sophomore goalkeeper Eva Helgadottir. In 14 starts a year ago, Helgadottir made 90 saves and chalked up three wins. She posted a 1.94 goals-against average and logged just over 1,200 minutes between the pipes.
 
Start of the 2017 Schedule
Butler will play their first three games of the 2017 regular season away from the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. The year gets underway with road matches at #18 Notre Dame, Ohio and Michigan State. Three-straight home games will follow with BU hosting Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Cleveland State.
 
Texas Tune-up
Butler will travel to College Station, Texas on Friday, Sept. 8 to face the Texas A&M Aggies. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, but will not be the first time Butler has battled against a Texas team in women's soccer. During the 1998 season, Butler hosted Texas in the season opener (L, 5-2) and would later host Texas Tech in the Nike/Snickers Soccer Fest (W,2-0).