Fort Wayne, IN – After a spotless first half of action by the Mastodon defense, a pair of second half scores gave Butler the final advantage as they downed IPFW 2-0 in the 2009 regular season opener.

For the second time in as many games, the ‘Dons headed to halftime with the scoreboard reading 0-0. ‘Dons forward Max Touloute gave the Bulldogs the only scoring scare of the half as he laced his way between two defenders before firing a shot just wide of the cage.

Both teams totaled six shots and six fouls in the balanced half.

The score remained knotted at nil until the game’s 68th minute, as Butler senior defender Kyle Vondenbenken’s free kick found the front of the net to a streaking Matt Hedges. His header slipped past the outstretched arms of Donovan Dowling and the Bulldogs had the game’s first lead at 1-0.

With the clock ticking down and the pressure on the Mastodon offense responded to the deficit, extending their offense and controlling the ball for a large portion of the remainder of the game. In the 50th minute, the ‘Dons were unable to capitalize on a free kick from just outside the box, firing it high and wide.

Moments later, Mitchell Haifley’s booming kick careened off of the cross bar, to the feet of Max Touloute. In the chaos in front of the cage, Touloute took the shot from about 10 yards out, only to be denied by a diving save by Butler’s Fabian Knopfler.

In the game’s final minutes, and with the Bulldogs still on the attack, junior midfielder Liridon Qafleshi was whistled and carded for a tackle from behind in the box. In the confusion and ensuing arguments, two more cards would be handed out before Bulldog senior Boris Gatsky found the back of the net with the PK, putting the final touches on a 2-0 Bulldog victory.

Junior Raphael Martinez and sophomore Max Touloute led the ‘Dons with four shots a piece. Keeper Donovan Dowling tallied six saves on the night.

The Mastodons will return to action in this busy week of soccer, playing host to the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday (Sept. 4) at 5 p.m. before the University of Detroit Mercy Titans travel to Fort Wayne for a 2 p.m. kickoff Sunday (Sept. 6).