Box Score Butler returned to its winning ways with a 2-1 win over St. John's Saturday night at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis. Sophomore Bennett Kim scored the game-winner, volleying in a cross from Jeff Adkins to break a 1-1 tie in the 66th minute of the match. The win ends a three-match skid for the Bulldogs, who improve to 7-3-3 overall and 3-2 in BIG EAST play. The Red Storm fall to 3-8-3 (1-2-2).
The one-touch game-winner was Kim's second of the season as he did the same thing in the team's season-opening win at Wisconsin.
Just three minutes into the second half, Butler's Marco Charalambous scored the game's first goal, taking a pass from Vincent Mitchell and settling the ball just outside the 18. He used his right foot to wrap in a shot just inside the right post to break the scoreless tie. It was the first career goal for the redshirt freshman.
Less than seven minutes later, St. John's would answer as Mike Prosuk scored in the low left corner after taking a nice touch pass from Marti Tapia. Kim's game-winner would come 10 minutes later as Adkins sent a cross from the right side across the box and Kim used his left foot to take the ball out of the air and push it by Red Storm keeper Jordan Stagmiller.
"I'm really proud of the boys tonight," said Butler coach Paul Snape. "St. John's is a tough team, playing much better than their record shows. On a night when we didn't play our best, we did show a lot of grit and resiliency. We scored a goal and then gave up a sloppy one just a few minutes later, but were able to rebound and find another goal for the win."
Butler was able to create several other chances along the way as Stagmiller had eight saves on the night to keep St. John's within reach. The Red Storm took the first four shots of the night before Butler had the final seven shots of the first half. Much of that momentum occurred once Mitchell entered the match for the first time with 16 minutes to play in the first 45.
About that same time, David Goldsmith used a touch pass to find A.R. Smith, who split defenders but had his shot saved by Stagmiller. With under 10 minutes to play before halftime, Eric Leonard's header got by the Red Storm keeper, but he was able to catch up to it and punch it away before it crossed the goal line.
Goldsmith nearly made the score 2-0 after Charalambous's goal as he fired a shot that went just right in the 52nd minute. Mitchell also had a good chance denied in the 76th minute as his shot was saved off a nice feed from Leonard to the left side of the box.
Butler keeper Eric Dick played well in goal, aggressively turning away several St. John's advances by coming out and handling crosses. With 35 minutes to play, Marti caused a turnover at the top of Butler's box, but Dick made one of his two saves to thwart the attempt.
Butler had 15 shots to St. John's 12, while each team had three corner kicks. Goldsmith led Butler with four shots, followed by Mitchell with three.
Butler returns to action Saturday (Oct. 24), traveling to Seton Hall for another BIG EAST contest. The match will air live on BEDN as part of the FOX Sports Go app. More details will be available this week on ButlerSports.com. Kick is set for 7 p.m.
