By: Griffin Kuras, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University’s Men’s Soccer team welcomed Otterbein University to Alumni Field and the Beavers were unable to keep up as they slipped to 0-5 on the season. The home squad took a tough 6-2 loss as the Cardinals boosted their record to 2-3-1 on the young season.
The Beaver defense allowed three early goals but were able to battle back and capped the first half with 31 minutes of shutout soccer to end the period. Bluffton cracked the scoring column when Jake Headings (Cincinnati/McNicholas) took on the Cardinal defense, knifing through to the left wing and getting his first goal of the season.
The second half started off slowly as neither team could finish on the offensive end until a foul in the box gave the Beavers a penalty kick opportunity. John Eckenrode (Northwood/Millbury Lake) was able to finish the kick with his team-best third tally of the season, pulling the Beavers right back into the match with a mere 13 minutes to go. The Beaver defense, which had stood staunch for another 32 minutes, saw the floodgates open back up as the Cardinal offense regained control by rattling off three more goals for the 6-2 victory.
Bluffton was on the wrong end of a convincing 25-8 shooting margin with Otterbein able to keep the offensive pressure up all game. Junior keeper Matt Hardman-Zimmerman (Forest City, Penn.) turned away eight Cardinal attempts for the home team.
Bluffton is back at home again against Cleary University Sept. 30 (4 PM), following a 7 PM contest at Wittenberg on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Come out and support the Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
