Butler Strikes in Overtime to Defeat DePaul

Saturday, March 20

Chicago, Ill.

1:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

2-3-2, 2-3-0

Butler

2-5-2, 2-1-2

Butler

DePaul

3/20/2021 4:04:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score

The Blue Demons maintained control throughout the match but couldn't orchestrate a goal

CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer fell in overtime on Saturday at Wish Field to Butler, 1-0. The Blue Demons and Bulldogs traded offensive chances throughout regulation and needed extra time to decide the BIG EAST match. Hemi Nasser scored for Butler on a header in the box in the 93rd minute to claim the Bulldog win.

"I thought it was a good performance from our team today," said head coach Mark Plotkin. "We just have to do more in the final third to reward ourselves for performances like these."

DePaul (2-3-2, 2-3 BIG EAST) suffered the conference defeat after back-to-back wins. The Blue Demons and Bulldogs traded possession during the game's first 45 minutes and the DePaul defensive unit held the Bulldogs (2-5-2, 2-1-2 BIG EAST) to just one first half shot. Meanwhile, the Blue Demons created chances in the Butler third, getting off four shots with one ending up on goal.

After the break, DePaul was able to dictate the pace of play. DePaul's attacking group of Marek Gonda, Jake Fuderer and Santiago Rodriguez attempted to connect with key passes but the Blue Demons five second half shots all ended up off target. The Blue Demon's best scoring chance came with 15 minutes remaining when Gonda attempted to make a quick turn with the ball in the box. However, his shot attempt was blocked by a Bulldog defender.

Drew Nuelle made three saves for the Blue Demons in net. With the Bulldogs threatening with a handful of consecutive corner kicks in the second half, Nuelle managed the DePaul defensive line and helped negate the Butler scoring chances.

After 90 scoreless minutes, Butler's overtime winner game less than four minutes into the extra period. Tommy Visser sent in a cross from the left wing that found the head of Nasser who knocked the game-winner past Nuelle.

"Credit to Butler for making a play at the end," said Plotkin. "That's the difference in these BIG EAST games. Moving forward, the matchup at Marquette on Wednesday will have postseason implications and we'll be ready for it."

UP NEXT

The Blue Demons head to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles at 6:00 p.m. CT. DePaul fell to the Golden Eagles in their previous meeting, 3-1, on Saturday, March 6. DePaul sits towards the middle of the BIG EAST Midwest division with a 2-3 conference record so far this spring. The top two teams from the Midwest Division will move on to the conference championships later in April.

For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.