September 24, 2016
BLUFFTON, Ohio - A pair of Grant Stutzman (Sugarcreek/Hiland) tallies separated by less than three minutes proved to be all Bluffton would need as the Beavers defeated Ohio Christian 2-1 on a beautiful Saturday, Sept. 24. It marked the first home win by the men since Oct. 29, 2014 when Bluffton defeated Mount St. Joseph, 3-2, at the Sears Complex. The Beavers improved to 3-4 on the season, while OCU dropped to 2-6 overall.
Although Ohio Christian outshot the home team 14-1 during the first period, the Beavers limited the damage to an own goal as Bluffton trailed 1-0 at the break. Early in period two, Alec Mast (Millersburg/Hiland) delivered a superb feed to fellow senior Grant Stutzman who headed in his third goal of the season to even the score in minute 63.
With the officials struggling to maintain control of a match that saw seven yellow cards doled out, a foul in the box sent Stutzman to the line for a penalty kick at the 65:05 mark. He calmly took care of business, putting Bluffton up 2-1 with 25 minutes to play. The defense made the penalty kick hold up for the Beaver victory on their home grass.
Ohio Christian finished with a 25-5 edge in shots, including 11-3 on frame. The visitors were whistled for five more fouls (12-7) and they forced 10 more corner kicks (11-1). Stutzman knocked in his third and fourth goals of the season, while Matt Hardman-Zimmerman (Forest City, Penn.) was sensational with 10 saves.
Bluffton jumps right back into action with another home match on Sunday, Sept. 25, against the Finlandia University Lions. It is slated for a 2 p.m. start at the Sears Complex.
-BEAVERS-
