Before the season started, Friday’s men’s soccer match with Butler University looked as though it would give Ohio State a chance to prove itself against a top-ranked opponent. Butler, however, has lost six of its first seven matches.Butler, an NCAA Tournament participant a year ago, began the season ranked 14th in the nation, but after the slow start has dropped out of the rankings.Regardless, the Bulldogs have one of the top players in the nation in senior Stephen Armstrong. Armstrong was named a preseason All-American at forward. But much like the rest of the team, Armstrong started slowly. The candidate for the Hermann Trophy, which goes to the top men’s college player, has scored only one goal in seven games.The Buckeyes, on the other hand, would take the win no matter what Butler’s record is. Ohio State has notched three wins in the team’s first six games as they struggle for national attention. Ohio State returns the middle of the field in sophomore goalie Kerry Thompson, Capt. Chad Campbell at sweeper, Brooks Humphreys at midfield, John Monebrake, last year’s leading scorer, at forward and senior Peterson Jerome at forward.The Buckeyes have scored 11 goals in their last three games, and most recently defeated New Hampshire 4-0. The match with Butler will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.