The Bulldogs opened the 2021 regular season with a strong defensive performance, but could not find the net in a 0-0 double-overtime draw with visiting Oakland Thursday night at the Sellick Bowl.

The match was the season-opener for both teams.
 
KEY MOMENT: Butler's Griffin DeBolt was presented with a red card in the 82nd minute of the match. The Bulldogs played a man down for the remaining 28 minutes.

OF NOTE:

• In the 27^th minute, Wilmer Cabrera, Jr. was able to weave through several Oakland defenders near the top of the box, ultimately being dragged down. The ensuing penalty kick was off target.
• Butler's next best chance in the match came in the 75^th minute as Tommy Visser collected a ball which had found its way across the top of the box to the left side. His blast from 15 yards out was turned away with a diving save by Oakland keeper Alessio Carbone.
• Gabriel Gjergji posted the clean sheet for the Bulldogs, making one save.
• Butler had a 15-8 advantage in shots and an 18-9 advantage in corner kicks; Cabrera, Jr. led the Bulldogs with five shots.
• Freshmen Philip Halvorsen, Nick Okoro, and Quint Breitkreuz each got the start in their first regular season match in a Butler uniform. Henri Kumwenda also saw first half minutes in his first collegiate outing.
• Cabrera, Jr., Jack Haywood, and center backs Rhys Myers and Perrin Barnes joined Gjergji in playing all 110 minutes.
• The match was originally scheduled for 5 p.m., but was moved to the evening due to extreme heat in the forecast. The match began after 10 p.m. following a Butler women's soccer match.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs make the short trip to Bloomington Tuesday for what has become an annual meeting with Indiana. The Hoosiers are ranked second in the preseason national poll. The kick is scheduled for 8 p.m.