Stats

BRIGHTON, Mich. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team (0-2) fought back from a 4-1 deficit midway through the second half, but time ran out as Cleary held on for the 4-3 victory on Sunday, August 31, at the Brighton Legacy Center.

A sloppy first half saw six cards awarded, including a Cleary ejection, as the home team went up 2-0 at the break. The Cougars pushed the lead to 3-0 before Blake Drewes (Archbold) scored Bluffton's first goal of the season  with just over 30 minutes to play. Cleary answered five minutes later with what turned out to be a crucial tack on score.

Junior Jake Headings (Cincinnati/McNicholas) made it 4-2 thanks to a Michael Ralph (Mansfield/Christian) assist with just under two minutes on the clock. A Peter Carlson (Toledo/Springfield) penalty kick with 25 ticks remaining pulled Bluffton within one before the final horn sounded with the score 4-3.

Cleary finished with a 21-16 edge in the shot department, including 12-10 on frame. Grant Stutzman (Sugarcreek/Hiland) put all four of his shots on goal, while Blake Drewes and Appiah Adubofour (Kumasi/Ghana) both chipped in with three shot attempts. Hermes Toska found the back of the net twice to pace the Cleary offense.

Bluffton will head to the College of Wooster on Wednesday, Sept. 3 for a night match with the Fighting Scots. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. under the lights following the women's contest at 4:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-