INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler men's soccer team came into the final match on the regular season schedule in contention for a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament, but a 3-1 loss to the visiting Xavier brought an end to that objective. The Musketeers, who were receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll, held a two-goal lead going into the break. The Bulldogs cut the lead in half in the 57th minute, but Xavier tallied one more and held on for the victory.

Butler ended the regular season 3-9-3 and 3-3-2 in BIG EAST competition, finishing fourth in the Midwest Division and seventh overall. Xavier (10-2-4) finished 3-2-3 in conference play and third in the division, eliminating them, as well, from the BIG EAST Tournament.

On the Record with Head Coach Ian Sarachan
"Tonight was obviously a tough way to end the year, but we are really proud of this group and the way we finished the second half of the season. Putting ourselves in a position to have a chance to make the BIG EAST tournament tonight was really a testament to our team's mentality over the last several weeks. We've put a lot of work into the foundations here, and we know that it's going to keep getting better as we move forward. I think we've set the tone for what this program is turning into, and I'm excited about that. Obviously, it hurts now, and for some of these guys, it's their last game here. But we know we got a lot out of this this BIG EAST season for our program, and we've got a lot to look forward to."

Key Moments

• 20' | Xavier's Alejandro Silvestrini serves a corner kick from the left flag. Ekene Okeke charges in goal area, leaps and heads in the first goal of the match.
• 37' | A Xavier throw-in from Gerard Lorente lands at the feet of Nathan Trickett who plays back to down the left touch line to Lorente. A pass toward the center finds Ely Detty near the 18, and he shoots and scores. The Musketeers have a 2-0 lead.

     -- HALFTIME –

• 57' | Finn Moran is fed the ball and is threatening near the left post. He is taken down by a Xavier defender and earns a penalty kick. Kiel Higginson strikes from the spot, just inside the right post. The goal cuts the Musketeers' lead in half.
• 63' | A Butler handball in the penalty area gives Xavier an opportunity from the spot. Gun Ha Lee converts, and the Musketeers are again up two goals, 3-1.

Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Higginson (PK)
ASSISTS: (none)

Bulldog Bits

• Higginson's goal was his second this season and of his career.
• Butler finished the season winning three of its final five matches, scoring ten goals over that stretch.
• Brooks Boersma made six saves in the match, bringing his season total to 57.