Stats: http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/womenssoccer/2011/10-19-ws.htm
The Bluffton University women's soccer team conquered the rain and the Spartans in a 1-0 shutout of Heartland Conference rival Manchester College on Wednesday, Oct. 19. With the fifth straight blanking, the Beavers have clinched their first-ever winning season as well as the most victories by a Bluffton women's soccer team.
Bluffton improved to 9-3-1 overall and 4-2 in the HCAC with its school-record eighth shutout of the season. Manchester slipped to 5-9-1 and 3-3 in the conference.
Two days of rain made for sloppy field conditions and poor footing with neither team being able to find the back of the net during the first half of action.
With just under 30 minutes to play, sophomore Jessica Ramirez (Archbold) connected with junior Maddie Moore (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) for the only goal of the contest. The Bluffton defense did the rest, completing its fifth consecutive shutout and eighth of the season.
Bluffton fired away to the tune of a 16-8 advantage in shots, including 10-4 on frame. The home team committed three more fouls (11-8) and forced one more corner kick (3-2) than the Beavers.
Maddie Moore finished with four shots, two on target, while sophomore Aimee Whitmer (Tontogany/Otsego) and Kourtney Lewis (Arlington/Riverdale) both put up three attempts in the victory.
Ramirez chipped in with two shots. Sophomore keeper Maggie Armstrong (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland Cty.) kept the Spartans off the scoreboard with four saves while dropping her goals against average to 1.01 per match.
The Beavers return to action on Sunday, Oct. 23, when they host Rose-Hulman in a crucial Heartland Conference battle. The match is slated to start at 2 p.m.
