WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University men's soccer team shut out the Butler University Bulldogs (2-7-2, 0-4 BIG EAST), 2-0, Friday evening in a BIG EAST Conference matchup at the Butler Bowl.  With the win, the Hoyas improve to 6-3-2 on the season and 2-1-1 in BIG EAST play. 
 
"Getting three points on the road in the BIG EAST is always cause for celebration, and Butler has good players that cause a lot of problems so I thought we managed that well," said Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese.  "The moment of the game was Giannis' save before halftime, that changed the game.  It's nice to see our guys stepping up and making plays because that's what we need to do to win on the road."
 
The Hoyas had some early looks, but it was Butler that began to pressure the defense midway through.  Freshman goalkeeper Giannis Nikopolidis (Athens, Greece / Nea Genia Zirdi) managed to keep it scoreless and sustain the pressure as the defense held on with an aggressive Bulldog attack.
 
Despite Butler's momentum, it was Georgetown that struck first as a perfectly executed set piece gave GU the 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.  Senior captain Kyle Zajec (Westport, Conn. / Staples) sent in a ball from deep in the corner.  He found the head of junior defender Dylan Nealis (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) who flicked it in to put the Blue & Gray on top.
 
Butler answered with a dangerous shot, but it was Georgetown that began to take control as the minutes ticked away. 
 
With less than two minutes to play in the first half, Butler had a golden opportunity to equalize as a trip up in the box resulted in a Butler penalty kick.  Nikopolidis came up with a huge save for the Hoyas to keep the Blue & Gray ahead as the squads went into the break with GU on top, 1-0.
 
The second half started even as both squads had chances.  In the 53rd minute, sophomore midfielder Jacob Montes (Lake Worth, Fla. / Beaverton [Ore.]) was taken down in the box resulting in a Hoya penalty kick.  Zajec took the PK and buried it to put Georgetown ahead, 2-0. 
 
The game began to get physical as cards were issued to both sides.  On offense, GU maintained possession and never really gave Butler an opportunity to get back into the game. 
 
With 10 minutes to go, a hustle play from senior Ethan Lochner (New York, N.Y. / Stuyvesant) gave him the ball 1v1 with keeper Gabriel Gjergji.  He passed it to freshman Luke Kiley (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman) who knocked it off of the post and a second shot was blocked as GU searched for one more score.
 
The Hoyas would stay strong for the final minutes and hold on for the 2-0 victory.
 
Georgetown outshot Butler, 14-12, but the Bulldogs were awarded six corner kicks to GU's four.  Nikopolidis took the win and shutout in the goal with two saves to his credit.  Gjergji was given the loss as he and the defense combined for a pair of stops in the contest.
 
The Hoyas will be back in action on Monday as the squad hosts local rival Maryland at 3 p.m. at Shaw Field.  Live stats and a webcast featuring soccer alums Dan Helfrich and Tom Greaser will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.
 
Men's soccer single game tickets are available for purchase at WeAreGeorgetown.com/mens-soccer. Fans who plan to purchase more than 5 adult tickets this season or would like discounted tickets as part of a flexible plan can purchase the 9-Ticket Men's Soccer Hoya Flexa at WeAreGeorgetown.com/mens-soccer for $55. Contact the Georgetown Athletic Ticket Office at (202) 687-4692 or hoyatickets@georgetown.edu with questions.