Box Score
Villanova, Pa. – The Butler women's soccer team blanked Villanova 2-0 Saturday afternoon to open BIG EAST play. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 8-2-1 on the year and extended their winning streak to five games. 

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week Maria Collica put the 'Dawgs on the scoreboard first at the 20:04 mark. The junior defender struck a beautiful free kick from outside the box to give BU the 1-0 lead. It was Collica's first goal of the season. 

The two teams battled it out for the next 50 minutes until the next goal was scored. This time the Bulldogs took advantage of a Villanova red card in the 72nd minute that set up a penalty kick. Serina Kashimoto beat the Villanova keeper to the right side to pad the Butler lead. Kashimoto now has eight goals on the year and scored on all three of her penalty kick attempts. 

Villanova outshot the 'Dawgs 16 to nine, but it was play of Hannah Luedtke and the Butler defense that kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard. Luedtke stopped eight shots to give Butler their fifth consecutive shutout. 

Butler will continue BIG EAST conference play next Thursday when they travel to Queens, N.Y. to face the St. Johns Red Storm. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on BEDN.