Story by Cort Reynolds
Photos by Rae Staton
 BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton boys soccer team blanked Ottawa Hills 2-0 in a much-awaited showdown between the two top-ranked Div. III teams in the northwest region Thursday night at Steinmetz Field. 

Prior to the contest, Bluffton was ranked number 2 in Division III in the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association poll. Ottawa Hills was ranked 5th.

The unbeaten Pirates improved to 9-0-1 overall with the big victory. The Green Bears fell to 4-3-1 after the defeat.

Simon Derstine netted the first goal in the 33rd minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Senior Jonathan Schriner tallied the second goal in the 58th minute off a Derstine assist to provide a two-goal margin.      

Bluffton put 10 of their 17 shots on goal. OH managed just two shots against the stingy Pirate defense, neither of which were on goal.

Pirate senior keeper Nic Essinger did not have to make a save to post the shutout. Meanwhile, OH goalie Truman Talbott made eight stops. 

Bluffton (6-0 home, 2-0 NWC/6 points) hosts league leader Ada (3-0 NWC, 9 points) Monday, September 28, at 7 p.m. on the Steinmetz Field pitch. 

A win would be the 28th in a row by the Pirates in NWC play and put them in first place over the Bulldogs by percentage points.

Bluffton won 3-0 at Ada last fall.