By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton boys soccer team defeated Van Buren 5-2 Tuesday night at Steinmetz Field.
The Pirates used a four-goal second half to win and improve to 5-0-1 this season.
Pirate senior Jonathan Schriner authored a hat trick to pace the victors. He scored the game's first goal in the 15th minute.
But Knight Chance Conley tied it four minutes later, and teammate Jonah Frederick scored in the 37th minute to put Bluffton behind for the first time this season at halftime, 2-1.
Schriner tied it 2-2 five minutes into the second half.
Simon Derstine then netted conscutive goals in the 58th and 71st minutes to untie the knot. Schriner tallied the last goal in the 76th minute to seal the verdict with a three-goal margin.
Bluffton put 17 of its 23 shots on goal. VB got off nine shots, seven of which were on goal.
Pirate senior keeper Nic Essinger was credited with five saves, while VB goalie Jackson Gregory made a dozen stops.
Bluffton (4-0 home) hosts tough non-league rival Kenton Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. in Steinmetz Field.
