PHILADELPHIA, PA. -- Max Kroschwitz scored the lone goal of the match with less than four minutes remaining to lift host Villanova to a 1-0 victory over Butler at the Higgins Soccer Complex on Saturday, Oct. 25).  The narrow setback dropped the Bulldogs to 5-6-4 on the season and 1-4-1 in the BIG EAST.

Kroschwitz, who had just re-entered the game, took a pass from teammate Chris Hill directly in front of the goal and slipped a shot past Butler goalkeeper Eric Dick to the near post with just 3:37 left in regulation play.  It was his third goal of the season, and lifted Villanova to 7-5-3 on the season and 2-2-2 in the BIG EAST.

The game-winner spoiled a determined effort by the visiting Bulldogs.  Butler finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.  The Bulldogs held a significant upper hand in the second half, out-shooting the Wildcats, 11-4, including a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.  Butler had five corner kicks in the final period to just one by Villanova.

Both teams showed more defense than offense in the first 45 minutes.  Butler's lone shot on goal came from sophomore David Goldsmith, but it was stopped by goalkeeper Will Steiner.  Dick came up with a save on Villanova's lone shot on goal in the first half.

The Bulldogs picked up the pace after intermission.  Junior Vincent Mitchell had an excellent scoring opportunity midway through the final half when he gained the ball with Steiner on the ground.  But the Villanova defense reacted quickly and came up with a team save on Mitchell's scoring attempt to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.

Butler also picked up second half shots on goal from Caleb Postlewait, Zach Steinberger, and Jeff Adkins.  Steinberger, who led both teams with six shots in the match, had Butler's final shot on goal just minutes before the game-winning score, but Steiner came up with his fourth save of the match.

Dick, bidding for his third straight shutout, wound up taking the loss and fell to 3-4-3 on the season.  He had three saves in the match.

The Bulldogs will play their next two matches at home, beginning with a Wednesday night contest against Seton Hall.  That BIG EAST match at the Butler Bowl will start at 7 p.m.  Butler will close out its home schedule with a "Senior Day" game against Providence on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m.