#BEfútbol Minute: Butler, Georgetown First In For Postseason Tournament
NEW YORK – With a 2-0 win over Seton Hall on the road on Wednesday night, Butler, ranked 21st nationally, became one of two teams to qualify for the 2017 BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep. Butler, the 2016 BIG EAST tournament defending champions, currently ranks first in the league standings with 18 points and a 6-1-0 league record.
Also earning a bid after Wednesday’s results was Georgetown, who finished in a scoreless draw with Providence in double overtime at Shaw Field. The Hoyas’ point with the tie also qualified them for the tournament, which Georgetown won in 2015. Georgetown missed the tournament last year. This season, Georgetown ranks No. 10 in the country and is in second in the BIG EAST standings with 16 points and a 5-1-1 record.
A Look At the Standings
Also earning key points on Wednesday was St. John’s. The Red Storm earned a 2-1 double overtime win at home over Villanova. The win solidified St. John’s hold on third place in the standings with 13 points and a 4-2-1 league record. Xavier also earned three points to rank fourth in the league with 12 points and a 4-3-0 record. Xavier defeated DePaul in the first match of the day, 2-0. In the night cap, Marquette held off Creighton in a 4-3 victory at Valley Fields. The win puts Marquette at fifth with 10 points and a 3-3-1 record. If the season ended today, the Bluejays would be the final team in with eight points and a 2-3-2 record. Just outside the tournament field is Providence with a 1-2-4 record and seven points. Villanova and Seton Hall are tied for eighth with six points (2-5-0) and DePaul has four points with a 1-5-1 record.
Who Can Be Next?
The Red Storm just needs a tie in the next two matches to qualify for the tournament. St. John’s would have 14 points and could not be caught by the bottom four teams. The same holds true for Xavier with a win or two ties in the next two matches.
Who Will Be Hosting?
As of Thursday, both Butler and Georgetown have solidified a hosting position as neither team can finish lower than fourth in the standings. The top four teams will host either a first or semifinal round match as the tournament is played at the highest seed remaining’s home pitch.
Last Night In #BEfútbol – 10.26.17
XAVIER 2, DEPAUL 0
Jacob Goodall had three points in the Musketeer victory as he scored the first goal of the match in the 43rd minute then assisted the insurance goal by Cameron Taylor in the 78th. Xavier keeper Colin Hanley had three saves in the shutout as he earned his second win in goal. DePaul keeper Quentin Low had six saves.
PROVIDENCE 0, No. 10 GEORGETOWN 0 (2OT)
Georgetown and Providence played to a scoreless draw at Shaw Field. The Hoyas led in shots 13-9, but shots on goal were even at 2-2. Friar keeper Colin Miller had two saves, as did Hoya keeper JT Marcinkowski. Georgetown held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. Providence finished with its fourth tie in league play this year. The Hoyas have shut out opponents in the last four matches, 380+ minutes, since its loss 2-1 to then-No. 19 Duke.
No. 21 BUTLER 2, SETON HALL 0
The Bulldogs earned their three points to lead the BIG EAST with two matches to go as Butler keeper Eric Dick had five saves for his eighth shutout of the season to help BU extend its scoreless streak to 410 minutes. Butler controls its own destiny to earn the league’s regular season title as the Bulldogs are currently alone at the top of the standings. Butler’s Lewis Suddick scored in the 35th minute off a penalty kick to take the 1-0 lead into halftime. Early in the second half, Isaac Galliford scored his second goal of the season with assists by Brandon Guhl and Bennett Kim. Seton Hall outshot Butler 9-5 and 5-4 on goal.
ST. JOHN’S 2, VILLANOVA 1 (2OT)
Red Storm junior forward Filippo Ricupati had two late-game goals including the game-winner in double overtime to give St. John’s the win over Villanova. Ricupati netted the equalizer on a highlight reel tally in the 69th minute before converting on a header in the 102nd minute. The effort marked the third multi-goal game of Ricupati's career and bumped his season-long goal total four, which ties for the team lead. Villanova had scored early, a Zach Zandi PK goal in the third minute. Villanova keeper Will Steiner had seven saves in goal for the Wildcats. Red Storm keeper Andrew Withers had four.
MARQUETTE 4, CREIGHTON 3
Marquette had taken a 4-0 lead deep into the match before Creighton could score in the 63rd minute. MU’s Connor Alba had given the Golden Eagles the early lead in the fifth minute. Manuel Cukaj and Grant Owens followed up with goals in the 18th and 32nd minutes, both goals assisted by last year’s BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Luka Prpa. Ruben Sanchez scored the fourth goal, as Prpa added his third assist of the night. In the final 25 minutes, Creighton came rallying back as Noah Franke broke the shutout in the 63rd. Two goals by Mario Lomis brought the Bluejays within one. Lomis’ second goal was scored in the final minute of play. Luke Haakenson had two assists in the rally. Franke assisted Lomis’ first goal. Marquette keeper Noah Heim made eight saves. Creighton keeper Michael Kluver had five. Creighton outshot Marquette 31-20, 18-10 in the first half. Shots on goal were fairly even as CU led 11-10.
Up Next In #BEfútbol
Saturday, Oct. 28
PROVIDENCE at VILLANOVA at 1 p.m.
No. 10 GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 7 p.m.
SETON HALL at XAVIER at 7 p.m.
No. 21 BUTLER at MARQUETTE at 8 p.m.
DEPAUL at CREIGHTON at 8 p.m.
All Times Are Eastern.