It took nearly 110 minutes, but the Bulldogs were able to pull out a thrilling 1-0 win Tuesday night at the Sellick Bowl. The win over Akron came on a corner kick launched by Jack Haywood and headed in by senior captain Alex Lehtinen.

The win improves Butler's record to 6-4. Akron, which was ranked No. 3 in the preseason polls, falls to 1-8-1 but entered the match off a strong result, playing No. 10 Florida International to a draw.

These two teams looked headed to a draw – just as they did in the 2018 season opener, which was the only previous meeting between the programs – before the Bulldogs' heroics in the 110^th minute.

Each team had opportunities throughout the match, but couldn't convert until Lehtinen's game-winner. Akron's Leonard Sohn obtained a Butler turnover in the 28^th minute, but his shot in the box was blocked by a Bulldog defender. Lehtinen had the other chance in the first half, as he found a bouncing ball from eight yards out in the 32^nd minute, but his shot skipped wide.

Butler had three strong chances in the second half. Wilson Cabrera, Jr., started a breakaway in the 58^th minute, leading Derek Sutton into the left corner of the box, but the senior's blast sailed high. Less than four minutes later, Cabrera, Jr., and Hemi Nasser connected to find Logan Lee in the left side of the box. Akron keeper Joe Bowles was on his way out to him, but a Zips defender slid in to stop the shot.

In the 75^th minute, Justin Savona got his head on a shot after the Bulldogs' free kick was headed over to Savona. However, Bowles made the save near the back post.

Akron nearly found the net in the 68^th minute as a corner kick to the back post found the head of Sam Tojaga, but Bulldogs' keeper Gabriel Gjergji was up to the challenge, making the save from point blank range.

OF NOTE:

• Butler held a 17-10 advantage in shots; the teams combined for 16 corner kicks.
• Gjergji made six saves in picking up his third shutout of 2019 and the fourth clean sheet of his Butler career.
• Ten different Bulldogs had shots in the contest.
• After scoring the first two goals of his career in Friday night's win over Providence and picking up BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors, Brendan Hicks earned his first start as a Bulldog against Akron.
• Injuries continue to impact the Bulldogs as Rhys Myers missed his first game this season. He was joined on the sidelines Tuesday night by Brandon Guhl, Joel Harvey, and Jared Timmer. All four are rehabbing their injuries in hopes of returning to the line-up soon.
• Haywood now has a team-best six assists, which currently has him tied for the BIG EAST lead.
• The goal was Lehtinen's second of the season and the eighth of his Butler career.

UP NEXT:

The Bulldogs return to BIG EAST play Saturday night, hosting DePaul at the Sellick Bowl. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.