October 5, 2016
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team welcomed Defiance College to the Sears Complex for a 3:30 matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The two rivals combined for four tallies in the first 35 minutes and the Yellow Jackets made their 3-1 halftime edge stand up as Defiance improved to 4-5-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the Heartland Conference. Bluffton dipped to 3-8 and 0-2 in the HCAC.
Alec Mast (Millersburg/Hiland) connected with fellow senior Grant Stutzman (Sugarcreek/Hiland) with a beautiful feed in minute 29 as the Beavers trimmed their deficit to 2-1, but Defiance answered six minutes later for what turned out to be the final goal of the match with just over 10 minutes to play in the opening half.
Defiance notched a 17-8 margin in shots, but just 12-7 on frame. The Beavers were whistled for 15 fouls, four more than the visitors. The Yellow Jackets forced three more corner kicks (7-4) while the two teams combined for seven yellow cards. Stutzman fired four shots for the home team, including his team-best fifth tally of the season. Matt Hardman-Zimmerman (Forest City, Penn.) finished with nine saves for the Beavers.
Bluffton is back at the Sears Complex on Saturday, Oct. 8, when the Beavers host Franklin College at 3:30 p.m. following the women's contest with the Grizzlies. Come out and support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
