The Butler Men’s soccer team wrapped up the weekend tying two teams and placing second in the four-team, Akron Tournament in Akron, Ohio
Butler’s first contest matched them up against #11 South Florida (4-1-1). The Bulldogs kept the game to a stalemate through the first 30 minutes of the contest, before South Florida’s, Roberto Alterio scored at the 32nd minute mark to break the draw. Ricardo Webb then made it two goals to none for the Bulls at the 37th minute with an unassisted goal coming from a Butler turnover.
The Bulldogs then struck back with two goals in four minutes late in the second half. Sophomore forward Chad Rigg added the first Butler goal at the 78th minute to cut the South Florida lead in half.
Freshman forward Jeff Adkinsthen tied the match at the 82nd minute with a shot from 15 yards out.
Game two of the tournament pitted Butler against St. John’s, another nationally-ranked squad, and for the second consecutive match the Bulldogs settled for a draw.
The Bulldogs opened up with a goal early at the 28th minute and out-shot the unbeaten Red Storm (5-0-3), eight to five, in the opening period.
St. John’s then showed their national ranking in the second half, launching 18 shots in the second half and two overtime periods along with six shots on goal in the final 65 minutes.
The Red Storm tied the match at the 74th minute when midfielder Daniel Herrera broke loose in the middle of the field and took a shot from 26 yards out.
On the plus side for Butler, three Bulldogs were named to the 11-player Akron All-Tournament squad. Junior Jordan Burtand sophomores Brandon Frickeand Zach Steinbergerof Butler were named to the team. The trio helped Butler to ties against #11 South Florida and #10 St. John’s.
Akron went on to win the tournament, which feature three of the top eleven teams in the nation. Butler and St. John’s both finished with a 0-0-2 mark, but the Bulldogs earned the second place decision based on goal differential.
Butler has not been beaten in its last 20 regular season tournament contests.
The two ties against nationally-ranked teams kept the Bulldogs unbeaten in regular season tournament play this season.
