Box Score INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- A clutch second-half goal from sophomore forward David Goldsmith lifted Butler to a 2-1 victory over former conference opponent Loyola in a match at the Butler Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 20. The win brings the Bulldogs to 3-2-3 on the season.
Both teams found the net early in the match, starting with a 21st minute goal from Butler junior forward Jeff Adkins off an assist from Goldsmith. Adkins, who finished with three shots on the day (two on-goal), placed the shot just above Loyola goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski, bouncing off his out-stretched hands and into the goal.
The Ramblers, who formerly competed with Butler in the Horizon League, responded with a strike of their own less than ten minutes later, sending the game to halftime tied 1-1. The shot by Elliot Collier came from 15 yards out on the left side and found the back of the net on the right side.
The 40-minute scoring draught drew to an end in the 73rd minute as Goldsmith found the net off an assist from junior midfielder Caleb Postlewait for the eventual game-winner. After both players picked up a goal in the match, Goldsmith and Adkins have each scored a team-high four goals on the year.
"It was back to the basics. We needed to start passing the ball," Butler head coach Paul Snape said after the match. "Second half we responded and the back line did a better job connecting and we held better in the midfield. We were patient and we got a great goal in the end, but it was because we were passing the ball."
Senior goalkeeper Andy Holte started his second game of the year in goal for the Bulldogs, coming off a shutout of in-state rival Indiana earlier in the week. Holte finished the game with one save.
The Ramblers attempted one final shot from senior defender Brian Lunar with less than 30 seconds remaining, but the strike bounced off the crossbar to secure the 2-1 Butler victory.
Butler will next host a pair of matches at home, beginning with Evansville on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. in the Butler Bowl. The Bulldogs will then open their BIG EAST schedule in a home match against Georgetown on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Contact: Mike Murtaugh (mmurtaug@butler.edu)
