Box Score Butler celebrated Senior Night in grand fashion, downing #25 Xavier by the score of 3-0 to capture the No. 3 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament. Senior Vincent Mitchell had two goals in the contest as the Bulldogs improved to 6-3 in conference play and 10-4-3 overall. Xavier falls to 11-5-1 (5-3-1) and will be the No. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament.
After Xavier took the first four shots of the match and forced several corner kicks, Butler rebounded. After a long ball was played in to the top of the box in the 12th minute, a failed clear by the Musketeers left the ball at the feet of David Goldsmith. His left foot found the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Goldsmith's ninth goal of the season, which temporarily tied him with Mitchell for the team lead.
In the second half, Butler continued the offensive attack as Mitchell scored two goals less than two minutes apart. In the 77th minute, Mitchell headed in a Michael Peay cross for a 2-0 advantage. Just moments later, Mitchell found himself on the right side of the box and his initial shot was saved by Xavier keeper Dallas Jaye. But the rebound came right back at Mitchell, who deposited the goal for the final margin of victory. Mitchell now has 11 goals on the season.
"This is proof that we can play with anyone in the country," said coach Paul Snape. "Xavier is a tremendous team and this game is a huge boost for us. As coaches we say a lot of things and do a lot of things hoping to instill confidence, but nothing produces confidence for your guys like winning does."
The match was the final regular season contest for Butler's four seniors – Mitchell, Jeff Adkins, Caleb Postlewait, and Mike Kozielek. The quartet was honored in a pre-game ceremony. The match will not be their final one at the Butler Bowl though, as the third-seeded Bulldogs will host a BIG EAST quarterfinal Sunday.
"I'm extremely proud of this group," said Snape. "They were our first true recruiting class. We've been in three conferences and had a lot of ups and downs. But like a family, we've learned a lot from big wins and tough losses. It's bittersweet because they all 'get it' now, and it's about at that point when it is time for them to leave you. College should really be an eight-year contract."
Butler keeper Eric Dick had three saves on the night as he and the Bulldogs posted their seventh shutout of the season. Xavier held a slight 11-10 edge in shots and had eight corner kicks to just one for Butler.
The Bulldogs had already clinched a home match in the BIG EAST quarterfinals. Thursday's result propelled Butler by Xavier and into the #3 seed. The Bulldogs will host sixth-seeded Providence Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Butler Bowl. Providence, which advanced to the national semifinals a season ago, won Thursday to earn the No. 6 seed in the six-team BIG EAST Tournament.
