By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women’s soccer team lost in a high-scoring affair to the Transylvania University Pioneers 8-4 on Saturday, Oct. 25, in a match played at Steinmetz Field, home of the Bluffton H.S. Pirates. The win makes the Pioneers 6-11 on the season and 4-3 in the Heartland Conference, while Bluffton slipped to 4-11-1 and 1-5-1.
After an early Transy tally, Bluffton’s Brittany Huff (Union/Northmont) scored on a free kick from midfield that went just over the keeper’s hands, knotting the match at one in the 16th minute. The Pioneers countered three more goals in the next 15 minutes for a commanding 4-1 advantage with just less than 15 minutes to play in the opening stanza. Huff added a second goal late in the first half, but once again Transy responded, giving the visitors a 5-2 halftime advantage. Three of the first half goals were scored by Transylvania’s Lindsey Sizemore, almost half of her eight goals on the season.
Bluffton’s Terrill Webb (Kenton) chipped in with her team-best ninth goal of the season, assisted by junior Sarah Lawrence (Wapakoneta) in the 48th minute, pulling Bluffton back within two scores. However, Transylvania answered with three straight goals, including back-to-back tallies from Hunter Alexa Grace, making the score 8-3 before Danielle McQuillin (Delta/Pike-Delta-York) notched her first goal of 2014 on a penalty kick to cap the scoring in the Transylvania four-goal victory.
The Pioneers handled the Beavers in the shots category, pounding 30 shots (17 on goal), compared to only seven for the home team. Bluffton freshman keeper Katie Neeley (Huber Heights/Wayne) came up with nine saves in the loss.
Bluffton honored Jessica Williams (Genoa/Genoa Area), Jo Bondra (Highland Heights/Mayfield) and McQuillin for four years of hard work and dedication to the Bluffton soccer program as part of the Senior Day festivities on Saturday.
The Beavers return home to the Sears Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 28, for a 3:30 p.m. contest against the Mount St Joseph Lions. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
