INDIANAPOLIS - The Butler men's soccer team defeated its second top-20 opponent of the season Saturday night, posting a 2-1 win over league-leading, and 20th-ranked, Providence. Henri Kumwenda scored in the eleventh minute for the Bulldogs (5-6-1, 3-2-0 BIG EAST), and a Providence own goal provided the margin needed for the victory. This was the first conference loss for the Friars (8-2-3, 4-1-2 BIG EAST) who were coming off a win over No. 1 Georgetown just three days prior.
Key Moments
· 11' | Rico Hollenkamp received a pass on left side just pass the midfield stripe. He passed forward and found Wilmer Cabrera, Jr. just outside of the penalty area. Cabrera, Jr. one-timed the ball to Henri Kumwenda, and he fired a shot from the left side past the Providence keeper and into the upper right corner of the goal. The Bulldogs held an early, 1-0, lead.
· 32' | Griffin DeBolt had pushed forward and sent a left-footed cross from the left side of the field to the far post. The Friars' keeper extended but just missed making contact, and a Providence defender just behind him headed the ball-- but directly into his own net. Butler now led, 2-0.
· 34' | Providence's Gevork Diarbian took a pass as his team attacked down the center of the field. He sprinted to the side of the Bulldogs defender and laid a low shot just inside the right post, pulling the Friars to within one, at 2-1.
· 89-90' | A frantic sequence in front of the Bulldogs' goal included two corner kicks and three shots by Providence, two of which were blocked by defenders and one of which rocketed off the crossbar.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Henri Kumwenda
ASSISTS: Rico Hollenkamp, Wilmer Cabrera, Jr.
Bulldog Bits
· Henri Kumwenda's goal was the first of his career.
· Rico Hollenkamp notched his first career assist.
· The assist from Wilmer Cabrera, Jr. was his first of the season and the seventh of his career. He leads the Bulldogs in offensive points with three goals and one assist.
· Hemi Nasser led Butler with four shots, and four different Bulldogs had a shot on frame.
· Goalkeeper Gabriel Gjergji picked up his fifth win of the season, making four saves in the match.
· This was the second win of the season for the Bulldogs over a top-20 opponent. Butler also beat No. 18 Lipscomb, 3-1, on September 21.
· The victory was the first loss in BIG EAST play for Providence. The Friars had beaten No. 1 Georgetown by the score of 3-0 in their previous match.
Up Next
Butler hosts Marquette on Wednesday, October 20, at 7 pm in the Sellick Bowl. Later in the week, the Bulldogs travel to DePaul for a match on Saturday, October 23.
