By: Ian Mount, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - A goal with one second to play in the first half stunned the crowd, but the Bluffton University men's soccer team was unfazed as the home team scored two late goals to overcome the 3-2 halftime deficit. Bluffton picked up its first win of the season (1-4), while Marietta fell to 2-2 on the season.
Senior Peter Carlson (Toledo/Springfield) was the big story for the Beavers, notching his first career hat trick, including the game winner with just over four minutes to play in the contest. He netted two scores in the first half before Blake Drewes (Archbbold) knotted the match in minute 78. Grant Stutzman (Sugarcreek/Hiland) and Appiah Adubofour (Kumasi/Ghana) connected with Carlson on his first half tallies.
The visitors finished with a 16-12 advantage in shots (9-8 on frame), but they were slowed by six offsides calls. Bluffton was whistled for seven more fouls (15-8) despite Marietta earning two yellow cards in the match.
Sophomore Jeff Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Bethany Christian) came off the bench and pitched a shutout over the final 45 minutes to help the Beavers secure their first victory of the season. Carlson finished with four shots, while John Eckenrode (Northwood/Millbury Lake) chipped in with two shots on frame.
Bluffton will look for win number two when the Beavers travel to Mount Union for the second match of a women's and men's doubleheader on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The men's contest with the Purple Raiders is slated for 7 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
