CINCINNATI, OHIO -- Butler saw its 2014 men's soccer season come to an end at the hands of #14 Xavier, 2-0, on Friday, Nov. 7.  The road loss left the Bulldogs with a 6-7-5 final record and a 2-5-2 mark in the BIG EAST.

The Bulldogs, battling for the sixth an final spot in the upcoming BIG EAST Championship, were faced with a must-win situation.  With Seton Hall winning on Thursday night, Butler's only avenue into the postseason was to upset the nationally-ranked Musketeers on their home field.

But Xavier showed how it earned it's national acclaim.  The Musketeers used a staunch defensive effort and a couple of opportune goals to record their 12th win of the season.  The victory gave Xavier a first-round bye in the BIG EAST Tournament and boosted the Musketeers to 12-4-2 on the year and 6-1-2 in conference play.

Matt Vasquenza scored the eventual game-winner and gave Xavier an early lead with a goal in the 28th minute.  He took a header from teammate Jalen Brown in the box and fired a shot to the right corner for his sixth goal of the season.

The Musketeers picked up an insurance goal in the second half off the foot of Brown.  Vasquenza and Will Walker picked up assists on the score.

The two goals were more than enough for the defensive-minded Musketeers.  Butler managed just seven shots in the match and just one shot on goal.  Xavier goalkeeper Eric Osswald recorded his school-record tenth shutout of the season.

Senior Zach Steinberger, playing his final match for the Bulldogs, led Butler with three shots, including the team's only shot on goal.  Sophomore A. R. Smith added a pair of shots.  Butler goalkeeper Eric Dick had two saves in the match.

The setback ended a strong end-of-the-season run by the Bulldogs, which included a victory over No. 11 Providence.  Butler defeated two nationally-ranked teams in its final six matches.