Junior forward David Goldsmith found the net on three occasions in Butler's final 2015 exhibition contest. However, in a match that featured nine total goals in the first 62 minutes of play, host Dayton prevailed, 5-4.
Goldsmith's tallies came in the 14th, 45th and 51st minutes. The hat trick capped a strong exhibition showing for the preseason All-BIG EAST performer.
"There were a lot of positives for our attack tonight," said coach Paul Snape. "We're disappointed with the early goal, which was a bad mistake. From there, we didn't regroup in the first half. At halftime, I told the team that we expect a lot better. We responded better in the second half.
"We know exactly what we need to fix heading into the Wisconsin game. This is a new team and these experiences help us to learn and to grow. We'll figure it out."
Dayton got on the board first when Tommy Harr stole the ball at the top of the box and found the net. Goldsmith answered with a goal that was assisted by senior Jeff Adkins. The next three goals belonged to the host Flyers before Goldsmith found the net just before the half. Vincent Mitchell assisted on that goal.
Early in the second half, the teams traded converted penalty kicks to give Dayton a 5-3 lead. A Mitchell breakaway and eventual feed to Adkins for a score in the 62nd minute would pull Butler within the final margin as neither team found the net in the final 28 minutes of play.
The Bulldogs held a 19-15 advantage in shots and 7-5 in corner kicks.
Butler opens the regular season Friday at Wisconsin. The contest is set for 8:30 p.m. (Eastern).
