Match Notes | Live Stats | Watch (Xavier) | Watch (St. John's)

The Bulldogs look to continue their BIG EAST success on the road this week, taking on Xavier and St. John's. Thursday's match against Xavier is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs take on St. John's on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. The match will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

Bulldog Bits
- Butler's 3-0 start in BIG EAST play is its best since joining the conference in 2013
- Julia Leonard named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (9/10), (9/24)
- Annika Schmidt tabbed BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (8/27), (10/1)
- The Butler defense has posted seven shutouts this season (2nd in the BIG EAST)
- The Bulldogs have not allowed a goal in three games
- Butler outshot Seton Hall and Providence 33-7, including 16-2 on goal
- The Bulldogs did not allow Providence a shot on goal for the first time since 2014
- Monaghan leads the BIG EAST in assists with five, followed by Blacha with 4
- Anja Savich has notched three game winning goals so far in her rookie season
- Paige Monaghan named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (8/27)
- Anja Savich named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week (8/20)
- Monaghan named a Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate
- Monaghan was a unanimous selection for Preseason BIG EAST Offensive POY
 
Scouting Butler

Butler currently sits at 3-0 in the BIG EAST, tied with Georgetown for the top spot. The Bulldogs have shutout their last three opponents, outscoring Marquette, Seton Hall, and Providence 6-0. Anja Savich leads the team in points (13) and goals (6), while Paige Monaghan leads the team in assists with five. Leonie Doege and Hannah Luedtke have combined for seven Butler shutouts in goal.

About the Opponent: Xavier

The Musketeers are coming off a 2-1 setback against Villanova on Sunday. Despite Xavier scoring the first goal of the match, the Wildcats were able to score two in the second half to take the victory. Xavier is currently 1-2 in BIG EAST play with the win coming at Providence, beating the Friars 3-2 in double overtime. The Musketeers own notable wins over Dayton and Miami (Ohio). Samantha Dewey currently leads the team in points (14), goals (5), and assists (4). Toni Bizzarro has seen the majority of time in goal with a 6-5-0 record. She has made 54 saves with a 1.05 goals against average.

About the Opponent: St. John's

The Red Storm will host Providence on Thursday before hosting the Bulldogs on Sunday. St. John's, 1-2 in BIG EAST play, is coming off a 1-0 loss at Marquette on Sunday. The Red Storm's BIG EAST win comes against Creighton, beating the Bluejays 2-1. St. John's owns notable wins over Delaware and Buffalo. Zsani Kajan is the team leader in goals (7) and points (16). Samie Scaffidi has a team-high four assists. Meredith Reinhardt has played 10 games in goals with a 4-5-0 record. She has made 41 saves with a 1.63 goals against average.

Last Time Around

The Bulldogs are coming a 2-0 week, topping Seton Hall 3-0 and Providence 1-0. Three different Bulldogs found the net against the Pirates, with Anja Savich, Halle Stelbasky and Amanda Kowalski. Madison Toth was the difference maker against Providence, scoring the first goal of her Butler career to give Butler the 1-0 edge. The clean sheets were the sixth and seventh of the season for the Bulldogs, second most in the BIG EAST this year.

A Season Ago

The BIG EAST women's soccer match between Butler and Xavier ended in a 0-0 double overtime tie a season ago, with each team avoiding the loss column. The shutout performance by Butler allowed the 2017 team to tie the all-time school record for most shutouts recorded in a single-season. The Bulldogs then shutout St. John's in Indianapolis 1-0, with Paige Monaghan scoring a goal in the final moments of the first half to separate the two teams.

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week

Schmidt anchored an impressive defense for Butler last week which scored a pair of home shutout wins over Seton Hall and Providence. The Pirates and Friars were outshot by a combined 33-7 margin, including 16-2 on goal. PC entered the contest averaging nearly six shots on goal per game, but was held without a shot on target for the first time since 2014. The clean sheets were the sixth and seventh of the season for the Bulldogs, second most in the BIG EAST this year.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will have the week off before hosting the DePaul Blue Demons at home on Sunday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the match will stream live on the Butler Bulldogs Facebook page.