Championship Central
 
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Match Notes
 
INDIANAPOLIS -- Postseason soccer is officially here as the #20/22 Butler Bulldogs host the Providence Friars in the 2017 BIG EAST Women's Soccer Championship Semifinals. The two evenly matched teams will go head-to-head at the Sellick Bowl on Thursday night. The 7 PM kick-off will stream live on BEDN.

Tournament Schedule
#4 Marquette at #1 Georgetown - 2 PM
#3 Providence at #2 Butler - 7 PM
 
Bulldog Bits
- BU hasn't lost since Aug. 20... Their 16-match unbeaten streak is a school record
- BU has only allowed four goals this season; three in the 1st half, one in the 2nd
- Only three teams in BU women's soccer history have recorded more than 12 wins
- Second place is Butler's highest finish in the BIG EAST regular season standings
- Butler is ranked in two polls (#20 United Soccer Coaches & #22 Soccer America)
- Butler leads the NCAA in save percentage (.945) and goals-against avg. (.207)
- Butler uses two goalkeepers... Luedtke typically gets the start, Doege plays 2nd half
- Doege ranks 1st in the NCAA in save pct (.975) and in goals-against avg. (0.10)
- Paige Monaghan had a goal and an assist in Butler's 2-1 double OT win at PC
- Butler defeated Providence in the 2015 BIG EAST Championship match 1-0
 
First Half Firepower
Butler has taken 54 more shots than their opponent in the first half, but the opposition has out-shot BU 107-96 over the final 45 minutes. Goals have been split down the middle for BU, 14 coming in each half. The goal total rounds out with one each in overtime period.
 
Home Field Advantage
Butler is 8-0-2 at the Sellick Bowl this year. Each tie came against a BIG EAST opponent (Xavier 0-0 and Georgetown 0-0). The Bulldogs have only allowed one goal at home in over 940 minutes of action. That score came in the regular season finale against Villanova.
 
One-Two Punch
Paige Monaghan and Caitlyn DiSarcina combined to score 16 of Butler's 30 goals on the season. BIG EAST coaches recognized the dual threat throughout the conference season with Monaghan and DiSarcina scoring 11 of Butler's 12 goals in BIG EAST play.
 
Scouting Providence
No. 3 seed Providence advanced past No. 6 seed DePaul in penalty kicks (4-1) after the teams played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw. The Friars are a balanced team that has 14 different players with at least one goal. Hannah McNulty leads the team with nine points off three goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan will start in goal for the Friars. The Redshirt Freshman has been credited with all 10 wins this year. She has 79 saves, seven shutouts and a 0.95 goals-against average.
 
Six Bulldogs Earn All-Conference Awards
The BIG EAST announced annual awards on Saturday, with Butler earning hardware in three of the six major awards. Paige Monaghan was tabbed Offensive Player of the Year and goalkeeper Leonie Doege earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Year accolades. The final recognition went to Tari St. John, Rob Alman and Rob Klatte as the Bulldogs were voted on as the Coaching Staff of the Year. Monaghan doubled up as a First Team All-BIG EAST selection. Joining Monaghan on the first team was defender Annika Schmidt. Caitlyn DiSarcina and Shannon McDevitt each earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. DiSarcina and Doege were joined on the All-Freshman team by teammate Julia Leonard.
 
Monaghan Named Offensive Player of the Week
Monaghan scored two goals, including the golden goal, against Villanova to lock up #2 seed in BIG EAST Championship Tournament. Her first goal came off a penalty kick while the second came just 25 seconds into single overtime to lift BU to victory.
 
Doege Earns Freshman of the Week Honors
Doege kept Villanova off the scoreboard in the second half and overtime as the Bulldogs scored a 2-1 win, extending their unbeaten streak to 16 matches.
 
Up Next
The championship match of the 2017 BIG EAST Women's Soccer Championship Tournament will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 1:30 PM. Butler would play the winner of the match between Georgetown and Marquette live on FS1. If Georgetown wins they will host the championship match. If the Bulldogs win and the Hoyas lose, then BU will host Marquette.