Brandon Guhl chasing the ball. Guhl scored Butler’s third goal against VCU, his 13th of the season. 

JOSHUA DOERING | ASST. SPORTS EDITOR | jdoering@butler.edu

The Butler men’s soccer team defeated Virginia Commonwealth University, 3-2, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs travel to take on No. 1 Wake Forest University in the round of 16.

VCU took the lead in the 25th minute, courtesy of Luc Fatton. Fatton gained possession off of a Butler turnover and caught redshirt senior goalie Eric Dick off his line from about 30 yards out.

Butler responded to the goal by going on the attack. Sophomore forward Brandon Guhl had the Bulldogs’ best scoring chance of the first half in the 28th minute, but his shot was saved by VCU goalie Mario Sequeira.

Despite outshooting the Rams 6-3 and 3-1 in shots on goal, Butler trailed 1-0 at the end of the first 45 minutes.   

The second half started the same way the first half ended, with Butler applying the pressure. It didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to capitalize on their possession.

Sophomore defender Alex Lehtinen tied the match in the 54th minute off of a corner kick. The corner deflected off junior defender Joe Moulden, who got an assist, and Lehtinen knocked it in the net.

After the first goal, the floodgates opened. Sophomore midfielder Lewis Suddick and Guhl gave the Bulldogs three goals in five minutes and a 3-1 lead.

Ulrik Edvarsen got one back for VCU in the 63rd minute on a header from a free kick, but the Rams couldn’t find an equalizer.  

The game against the Demon Deacons is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m.