Box Score

Butler posted its third consecutive shutout and celebrated Senior Night with a 1-0 win over visiting Villanova Saturday night at the Sellick Bowl. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 9-4-1 overall and 5-1 in BIG EAST play.

Villanova is now 7-8 (2-4 BIG EAST).

The game's lone goal came in the 16^th minute as Bennett Kim weaved through two Villanova defenders with a spin move just outside the box. He then found a streaking Lewis Suddick inside the box on the left side. Suddick's low shot beat Wildcat keeper Will Steiner inside the right post.

It was Suddick's fourth goal of the season. For Kim, one of the team's five seniors who were recognized pregame, it was his first assist of 2017.

Butler's other seniors played a large role in the decision. Eric Dick made two saves in posting his seventh shutout of the season.

Senior Eric Leonard, who filled in along the back line for Joe Moulden in Wednesday's match against No. 1 Indiana, stayed on the back line Saturday despite Moulden's return. Kieran Geldenhuys moved to the outside back position and the Butler defense posted another shutout.

Butler has now held its opponents scoreless for the last 319:50, dating back to the team's Oct. 10 loss at SIUE.

Villanova had several chances in the final 20 minutes of the match, but Dick and the Butler defense were able to turn them away. Butler held a slim 8-7 advantage in shots led by three from Suddick. The Bulldogs had six corners compared to three for Villanova.

Steiner made two saves for Villanova.

Dick, Leonard, Kim, Wyatt Scott and Nolan Schlonger were recognized Saturday as part of Senior Night festivities. The five have one more regular season home match early next month.

Saturday's win keeps Butler tied with Georgetown atop the BIG EAST standings at 5-1. The top six teams in the conference qualify for the BIG EAST Tournament. Butler guarantees itself one of those six spots with at least a tie in any of its remaining three matches. They would also clinch a spot with a loss by any of several teams, but the Bulldogs are eyeing a high seed and opportunity to host BIG EAST Tournament matches.

The Bulldogs play their next two matches on the road, traveling to Seton Hall Wednesday and Marquette Saturday. Butler returns to the Sellick Bowl for the regular season finale Nov. 1 against Xavier. All three matches will air live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, part of the FOX Sports Go app.