Butler Tops Dayton In Men's Soccer Exhibition

Butler passed its first test of 2009 with a 2-0 victory over visiting Dayton in a weather-shortened exhibition men’s soccer match at the Butler Bowl on Wednesday (Aug. 19).  The match was called with just over six minutes remaining because of severe weather in the area.

Freshman Tyler Pollock scored on a header after taking a perfect cross from junior Jacob Capito just over 23 minutes into the match.  The shot into the right side of the net gave the Bulldogs the lead for good against a team that won 15 matches a year ago.

The Bulldogs added an insurance goal in the second half when senior Jared Gillespie passed the ball to sophomore Ben Kissick, charging up the left side.  Kissick found freshman Julian Cardona, who chipped a shot over Dayton goalkeeper Tyler Picard at 78:29.

Butler’s defense lived up to its advance billing, turning away 11 Dayton shots, including four shots on goal.  Starting goalkeeper Nick Hegeman had a pair of saves in the first half, while sophomore Nick Powell stopped two shots on goal in the final period.

The Bulldogs had 15 shots in the match, including six shots on goal.  Picard, who went the distance for the Flyers, finished with four saves.

Butler will play a second exhibition match at Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, Aug. 25.