INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler men's soccer team never trailed on Friday, securing a 2-1 win over visiting Villanova. The victory was the Bulldogs' first in BIG EAST play this season and the first win for
Ian Sarachan as the Butler head coach. Butler scored both of its goals in the first half, but the Wildcats closed the gap with a goal in the 63
rd minute.
Finn Moran scored both goals for the Bulldogs, notching his first-ever brace.
The Bulldogs now stand at 1-7-3, 1-1-2 BIG EAST, while Villanova drops to 5-6-2, 0-4-1 BIG EAST.
On the Record with Head Coach Ian Sarachan
"We've been saying this for the entire year, it seems, that the mentality of this group is so strong…even given the results. There are not a lot of teams around the country that, at the point we are at, continue to fight the way we do. That's a testament to our guys and the culture of this program. Yes, it's long overdue, but we know there is still a lot to play for. We have a game in hand, and we play the teams at the top of our division, so let's use this!"
Key Moments
- 5' | Luca Raso has the ball in the middle of the pitch and plays forward to Lou-Kent Bosc who is open and running on the left side. Bosc hits a cross, straight across the face of the goal, and Moran slides to punch it in with his left foot. Butler takes the early lead.
- 32' | Raso has the ball on the left side at midfield. He plays forward to Bosc who is by the left touch line. Bosc serves to the far post, and Moran is there to head it directly in. It's 2-0 Bulldogs.
-- HALFTIME --
- 63' | Villanova's Karson Vazquez plays the ball from the near-right side of the pitch into the center. Jayse Rand was there, and he plays it on to Luke Marelli on the left side. Martelli touches the ball forward from the 18, and it rolls under the outstretched arms of the Butler keeper. The ball continues rolling, hits the left post, deflects toward the right post and sneaks into the right side of the net, just behind the right post. Butler's lead is cut in half.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Moran (2)
ASSISTS: Bosc (2), Raso (2)
Bulldog Bits
- Moran's two goals were the first of his collegiate career.
- The two assists for Bosc were his first of the season, and he now has five for his career.
- Raso's two assists were his first this season, giving him three in his career.
- Brooks Boersma, who made three saves to seal the victory, made his final stop in the 82nd minute.
Up Next
Butler travels to Creighton for a match on Saturday, Oct. 24, that kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central.
