CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Butler secured a commanding 4-0 victory over DePaul in a Big East conference matchup on Friday evening. The Bulldogs (3-8, 1-2 Big East) earned their first road win of the season against the Blue Demons (2-4-5, 0-3 Big East) in a match that featured multiple scoring opportunities for both sides.
The scoring opened in the 24th minute when Josemir Gomez found the back of the net with a low shot to the right corner. Butler's tactical discipline and pressing game created multiple chances throughout the first half, with Bernardo Raposo testing DePaul's defense with a shot in the 9th minute that went just wide.
The first half saw DePaul create several opportunities, with Tyler Flowers recording two dangerous attempts in quick succession around the 12th minute. Luca Iaccino's presence in midfield led to early fouls in the 1st and 4th minutes as DePaul tried to establish control. Butler's defensive organization, however, proved difficult to break down, with the Bulldogs successfully absorbing pressure while maintaining their 1-0 advantage.
Butler's dominance continued in the second half, with the team adding three more goals to secure the victory. The match took a significant turn in the 64th minute when DePaul's Jayden Waski received a red card for serious foul play, forcing the Blue Demons to play with ten men for the remainder. Ryan Hannosh and Edgar Opsahl controlled the midfield for Butler during this period, with Aiden Benitez creating multiple scoring opportunities, including a dangerous shot in the 80th minute.
The statistical breakdown heavily favored Butler despite DePaul recording more total shots (18-12). The Bulldogs were more efficient with their opportunities, putting 8 shots on target compared to DePaul's 4. The Blue Demons held an advantage in corner kicks (8-2), but failed to convert these set-piece opportunities into goals. The physical nature of the match was evident in the card count, with Butler receiving four yellow cards and DePaul collecting two yellows and one red.
Individual performances highlighted the match, with Josemir Gomez standing out for Butler before being substituted in the 26th minute. DePaul's Noeh Hernandez showed persistence with multiple shot attempts, including three blocked shots, while Christian Baumgartner's midfield presence earned him a yellow card in the 56th minute for unsporting behavior. Lou-Kent Bosc's defensive work for Butler was notable before his substitution in the 73rd minute.
Tactically, Butler's approach focused on quick transitions and exploiting spaces behind DePaul's defensive line. The Blue Demons attempted to control possession through their midfield, with Callum Watts and Nathan Laird trying to dictate the tempo before being substituted. The red card to Waski forced DePaul to adjust their formation, but Butler's numerical advantage proved too significant to overcome.
This victory marks a crucial turning point for Butler's season, snapping a losing streak and providing momentum in conference play. For DePaul, the loss extends their winless run and highlights defensive vulnerabilities that need addressing, particularly in transition moments.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with midweek fixtures. Butler travels to Oakland for a non-conference match on October 7, while DePaul looks to rebound at Bradley on the same date. The Bulldogs will aim to build on this comprehensive victory, while the Blue Demons must regroup quickly to maintain their postseason aspirations.