By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University men’s soccer team battled until the end with one of the best teams in the Heartland Conference before a late goal propelled the Anderson University Ravens to a 1-0 victory. The loss is the first HCAC loss for the Beavers, putting them at 1-1 in the conference and 4-8 overall. The Ravens jumped to 2-0 in the HCAC and 8-4 overall.
The first half was dominated in the midfield as the Ravens led the shot category just 3-1 at the break. The second stanza, however, began with Anderson dialing up the offense as the home team took the first five shots after halftime, including one that went off the goal post. The Anderson pressure finally paid off on a free kick in the 81st minute when sophomore Nick Briles found the back of the net for the second time this season to give AU the 1-0 lead, which was all it needed to secure the victory.
Anderson keeper Nathan Wadley produced his sixth shutout of the season, including his third consecutive. Beaver goalkeeper Jeff Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Bethany Christian) finished with five saves of his own in the loss.
The Bluffton men will return home on Saturday, Oct. 11, as they take on Earlham College in a home match. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Sears Complex following the 1 p.m. women's matchup with the Quakers. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
