September 15, 2015
By: Whitney Warnecke, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team played a tough match against Olivet College on a sunny Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 . The Beavers took a tough loss against the Comets in overtime with a final score of 4-3. This heartbreaker dropped Bluffton to 2-3 while Olivet stayed unbeaten and untied at 5-0.
Both teams had their chances early, but it wasn't until the eighth minute when Bluffton's Katelyn Gardella (Troy/Miami East) was able to take advantage following a corner kick and rip a shot from the top of the box for a 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later the Comets evened the score with a direct kick from Emily Reinecke that caught the home team napping. The Comets added an own goal and a header following a missed penalty kick to open up a 3-1 spread at the break.
The second half came around and the Beavers weren't ready to give up. Bluffton caught fire with two goals in the second half, a ridiculous free kick by Brittany Huff (Clayton/Northmont) and the third tally from Ashley Keller (Piqua/Lehman Catholic) on a nice feed from Skylar Liming (St. Marys/Memorial) in the 64th minute.
With the score knotted at three after 90 minutes of up-and-down action, the teams took a five-minute respite before kicking off the extra session. MIAA Player of the Week Isabelle Leon needed just under seven minutes to convert her fourth game-winning goal of the season as she marched right down the middle of the field before netting the clincher.
The Comets out-shot the Beavers 23-18, including 16-13 on frame. The home team was led by Brittany Huff with five attempts. Senior keeper Ashley Knippen (Wapakoneta) made 10 saves while her counterpart from Olivet, Deanna Zolnoski, turned away eight shots.
The Beavers return to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 19, against Cleary. The match is slated to start at 4 p.m. and it will follow the men's contest with Otterbein. Enjoy a great Saturday by coming out to support your fellow Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
