INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A second-half goal from Josh Kidder pulled the Milwaukee men's soccer team back level, but it was not enough in a 2-1 loss to Butler Friday night at the Sellick Bowl.
 
"We made really good strides today, without getting the result," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "Very pleased with the way we played. At the end of the day, Butler was one play better than us today."
 
The Panthers (1-1) quickly made it a new game early in the second half against the Bulldogs (1-1-1), but could not overcome a 67^th-minute goal by the home team in falling.
 
"Obviously, we are not happy about the result, but I will say I am happy about the performance," Kelderman said "It was the complete opposite of our last game against Drake, where we got the result but I thought it wasn't a very good performance – so we made strides. I told the guys after the game that one, we played against a very good team. Butler is very well-balanced, good on the ball and physical, strong and fast – they are going to be very good this season. And two, this is what I thought was our best performance in both the preseason and regular season against the best team that we played so far, which is very promising."
 
Down, 1-0, at intermission, Milwaukee struck just a few minutes into the second period. Phillip Reiwerts started the play, carrying the ball upfield before finding Logan Farrington. Farrington turned and carried the ball towards goal, dropping off a pass for Kidder at the wing.
 
Kidder did the rest, taking one touch before sending a right-footed rocket inside the near post to draw level at the 48:51 mark.
 
Farrington nearly put MKE ahead 10 minutes later, bending a free kick to the upper corner that almost got past the goalkeeper before a sprawling full-out save punched it over the crossbar in the 58^th minute.
 
A well-struck header put the Bulldogs back in front in the 67th minute and stood up for the game-winner.
 
It looked to be a very disjointed first half for the Panthers, which ended up featuring way more offsides calls against (6) than shots attempted (2). It took some time to find a rhythm, with the closest chance near the start coming on a 19^th-minute free kick from Farrington that went whizzing just wide of the right post.
 
Farrington also had a look in the 38^th minute, sending a header off a cross from Kidder wide by a few feet. Butler then found a way to open the scoring, using a backpass to spring free Wilmer Cabrera, Jr., who scored at the 41:35 mark. It was one of just three shots in the opening half for Butler, and the only one that was on target.
 
Gijs Van Schouten was credited with one save on the evening. The Bulldogs claimed the shot advantage, 13-7, as well as the corner kick count, 4-1. Farrington was credited with a team-high five shot attempts.
 
Up next, the Panthers are back at home to open Horizon League action, welcoming UIC to Engelmann Stadium Sept. 11.