September 9, 2015
By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men’s soccer team could not overcome the Mount Union Purple Raiders on Wednesday, Sept. 9, as they fell by a 3-1 count. The Beavers dipped to 0-3 while Mount Union garnered its first win of the season to improve to 1-1.
The home team battled through the first 45 minutes of play as they were outshot 6-2, but the score remained tied at zero. However, two goals in the first 10 minutes of the closing stanza would put the Beavers on the defensive. Mount Union tacked on a third goal with just 25 seconds left to make it a 3-0 contest. However, a foul in the box sent John Eckenrode (Northwood/Millbury Lake) to the line for a penalty kick opportunity. Eckenrode converted for his second goal of the season as the Beavers fell, 3-1.
Bluffton was outshot by a convincing 20-7 margin by the Purple Raiders. The Beavers were paced in shots with two apiece from Eckenrode and Michael Ralph (Mansfield/Mansfield Christian). Bluffton keeper Matthew Hardman-Zimmerman (Forest City, PA) finished the contest with four saves.
The Beavers will return to action with their first road contest of the season when they head to Xavier University’s campus to challenge Cincinnati Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. Bluffton returns home on Wednesday, Sept. 16 against the College of Wooster Fighting Scots. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m. from the Sears Complex. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
