Box Score Junior David Goldsmith's second goal of the night proved to be the game-winner two minutes into the first overtime period, making the short trek back to 46th Street a little more fun with a 3-2 win over the host IUPUI Jaguars.
In the extra stanza, Eric Leonard played the ball up the left side to Vincent Mitchell, who corralled the ball and served up a short pass to the center of the box where Goldsmith deposited the goal.
The win improved the Bulldogs' record to 2-0 on the young season.
"We knew it would be a hard-fought contest tonight," said Butler coach Paul Snape. "In the first half, we controlled the ball well and it was nice to put two in the net. We stopped doing the simple things well in the second half. Credit IUPUI for clawing their way back in. But the guys rebounded and showed good character in OT. Vinny made another spectacular run and Goldie put it in net. Delighted to get the win."
There was no damage done through the first 33 minutes. At that point, Leonard found a crease in the IUPUI defense and fed a streaking Mitchell, who beat the IUPUI keeper for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage.
The host team answered in the 40th minute as Emmanuel Usen used his left foot to find the net and tie the score. Sixty-one seconds later, Butler responded with a tally from junior David Goldsmith, who scored off a beautiful feed from Charlie Constantino to the middle of the box.
Butler took the 2-1 lead into the half. The teams traded chances until the 72nd minute. The Bulldogs were called for a handball in the box and Clint Hoffar converted the resulting penalty kick.
That tied the game and ultimately sent the game to overtime and Goldsmith's heroics. Goldsmith led Butler with five shots, all on goal. The Bulldogs enjoyed a 17-8 advantage on shots, including four by senior Jeff Adkins.
Butler returns to action Saturday at UIC. The match in Chicago kicks at 1 p.m. (CT, 2 p.m. Eastern).
