Box Score Butler continued its strong hold on third place in the BIG EAST standings with a commanding 3-0 win at Seton Hall Saturday night (Oct. 24). Vincent Mitchell was credited with the game-winner in the second minute and two second-half goals put the match out of reach. The Bulldogs improved to 8-3-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play with the win.
Butler logged its fifth shutout of the season, while out-shooting the Pirates, 18-7.
Eric Dick had one save on the night as the Bulldogs controlled play. Seton Hall falls to 0-12-1 (0-6 BIG EAST) with the result.
Mitchell started the scoring just 105 seconds into the match. Caleb Postlewait played a long ball from just inside midfield. A Pirate defender was able to head the ball down but Mitchell took it from him, played it into the left side of the box and used his left foot to beat the Seton Hall keeper. It was Mitchell's team-leading ninth goal of the season and fourth game-winner.
Butler would generate a few additional opportunities in the first 45. Seton Hall's best chance came on a penalty kick in the 28th minute, but Dick dove to his left and his 6-foot-5 frame saw Samuel Geiler's shot go wide.
After the intermission, Butler found a pair of insurance goals to seal the win. In a crowded box in the 61st minute, Mitchell touched the ball to the right side to Kieran Geldenhuys who crossed the ball high to the middle of the box. Eric Leonard's header went just under the crossbar for Butler's second goal of the night. It was Leonard's second goal of the season and Geldenhuys' first career assist.
David Goldsmith capped the scoring in the 69
th minute.
Bennett Kim corralled a long ball by crossing it to Goldsmith, who made a move to elude a single Pirate defender and beat the keeper 1v1 with his left foot.
Butler remains in third place in the BIG EAST standings with three matches to play in the regular season. The Bulldogs have the Midwest trio remaining with a mid-week match looming with DePaul in Indianapolis Wednesday night. The Bulldogs will then travel to Marquette before hosting Xavier to close the regular season.
