By Cort Reynolds
ADA - Visiting Bluffton blanked Ada 3-0 in a battle between Northwest Conference boys soccer co-leaders Tuesday evening at the park pitch.

The loss snapped Ada's seven-match win streak and dropped their record to 7-3-1 overall and 3-1 in the NWC. Bluffton improved to 10-1-1 and 4-0 in the NWC with their 24th consecutive league win.

The game was scoreless through a defensive first half.

Kaden Basil finally broke the ice on a goal five minutes into the second half to give Bluffton a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, Asher Antrim extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal. Basil added a second goal by guiding a shot into the upper left corner of the net with just 24 seconds left.

The Pirates put 12 of their 26 shots on goal. Meanwhile Ada got off four shots, two on goal, both of which were saved.

Ada freshman keeper Grant Preston made nine saves in goal.

Bluffton visits Van Buren October 1. The only thing standing between them and a fifth consecutive NWC title is a match at Allen East (3-5-1, 2-0 NWC) Oct. 10. With a win at AE, the Pirates would make it 25 NWC wins in a row.