Bulldogs Upset No. 25 South Carolina

Sophomore Matt Hedges broke a scoreless tie in the 75th minute to help lead visiting Butler to a 1-0 upset of No. 25 South Carolina in the first round of the adidas Gamecock Classic in Columbia, S.C., on Friday (Sept. 11) evening.  It was Butler’s third win in as many matches this season.

Hedges took a pass from teammate Jared Isenthal and fired a shot that hit off the post and bounced right back to him.  He didn’t miss on the rebound attempt, giving Butler the decisive one goal advantage.  It was the second game-winner for the Butler defender in three outings this year.

Butler’s defense, which has yet to yield a goal this season, was again rock-solid.  Goalkeeper Fabian Knopfler, getting his second start on the young season, needed just one save to record his second shutout of the year and his fifth shutout in his last six starts.

The Bulldogs out-shot the host Gamecocks (2-1), 11-7 in the match.  Senior Boris Gatzky led Butler’s attack with for shots, including three shots on goal.  Senior Kyle VondenBenken added three shots, including one shot on goal.  Butler had a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Butler will face Presbyterian in the final round of the four-team tournament at noon on Sunday (Sept. 13).  Presbyterian lost to George Mason, 2-0, in the tournament's first game on Friday.