Brandon Guhl dribbles the ball against Lipscomb. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Lafakis.
JOSHUA DOERING | ASST. SPORTS EDITOR | jdoering@butler.edu
Butler’s men’s soccer team defeated Lipscomb University, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA tournament at the Sellick Bowl. The win puts Butler in the round of 32 for a second straight season.
“I don’t think it was the greatest performance, but we won,” head coach Paul Snape said. “And right now, I told the boys, ‘We adapt, we overcome, we advance.’”
The game was exciting from the opening kickoff, and both teams had plenty of chances to score early on.
Sophomore forward Brandon Guhl gave Butler the lead in the eighth minute. A pass from junior defender Kieran Geldenhuys sent Guhl behind the defense, and he slipped the ball past Lipscomb goalie Christopher Zappia.
Dawgs take the lead! pic.twitter.com/dhzagu4Yrs
— Butler Men’s Soccer (@ButlerMenSoccer) November 17, 2017
“As a forward, you have to take the chances you get to help the team,” Guhl said. “I’m lucky enough to do that for the team. Great win at home.”
Guhl had another one-on-one with Zappia seven minutes later, but couldn’t convert.
The Bisons outshot the Bulldogs 8-5 in the first half, but Guhl’s goal was enough to give Butler the lead after 45 minutes. Four of Butler’s five shots were on goal, while Lipscomb only had two shots on target.
Lipscomb registered another eight shots in the second half and forced a key save from redshirt senior goalie Eric Dick in the 62nd minute to keep the lead intact. Dick finished the game with four saves.
Geldenhuys found Guhl again in the 77th minute for Butler’s second goal, giving him 12 on the season.
77′ GOALLL-L-L-L-L-L
Brandon Guhl cool calm and collected as he takes a long ball from Geldenhuys, cuts inside the defender and slots it home.
Dawgs leading 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining.
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— Butler Men’s Soccer (@ButlerMenSoccer) November 17, 2017
“[Guhl] was in great positions both times,” Geldenhuys said. “He made great runs for both the goals and luckily, I managed to find him both occasions and he did very well to find the back of the net.”
All-Big East first team selection and sophomore midfielder Lewis Suddick did not play in the game.
Butler will travel to face No. 16 Virginia Commonwealth University on Sunday, Nov. 19 in the second round. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
