Ninth-ranked St. John's capitalized on a scoring opportunity in the first half en route to posting a 1-0 win over Butler Saturday night at the Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis.

The Red Storm improve to 8-1 on the season and 2-0 in BIG EAST play. Butler's record is now leveled at 4-4 with an 0-2 mark in conference matches.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Tani Oluwaseyi scored for St. John's just a second into the 35^th minute taking a combination of passes by Einar Lye and Skage Simonsen, making a touch to get behind Butler keeper Gabriel Gjergji on the left side of the frame. He was able to get his left foot on the ball from a short angle to find the net.

The St. John's goal came after the Bulldogs had a great chance earlier in the half as Wilmer Cabrera, Jr., got his head on a Louie Bulger cross. The header clipped the top of the crossbar.

Butler's best chance of the second half was once again produced by Cabrera, Jr. He got some space in the top left portion of the box and fired a curving shot toward the right post. SJU keeper Jan Hoffelner made a diving save to keep the clean sheet.


OF NOTE:

• Saturday's match featured the third consecutive Top 10 opponent at the Sellick Bowl for the Bulldogs.
• Eric Hollenkamp made his first start of the season for the Bulldogs.
• St. John's held a slim 9-7 advantage in shots, and took eight corner kicks to four by Butler.
• Both Gjergji and Hoffelner made three saves.
• Oluwaseyi took five of the nine shots by St. John's.
• Cabrera, Jr., had three shots, two on goal and one that hit the crossbar.
• Butler played without Jack Haywood, who is working through an injury suffered against Indiana Tuesday night. He joins preseason All-BIG EAST selection Jared Timmer currently on the Butler sidelines.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs continue BIG EAST play Friday night, traveling to Providence for a 7 p.m. kick.