Story by Cort Reynolds
Photo by Marvin Foster
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton boys soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat rival Riverdale 4-2 Thursday night at Steinmetz Field.

Bluffton improved to 11-0-1 with the hard-fought victory. Riverdale dropped to 8-2-1 with the tough defeat.

Falcon Jackson Clark scored first in just the second minute of play to put Riverdale ahead 1-0. 

But Bluffton came right back to tie it 1-1 on a goal by Kaden Basil in the fifth minute.

Pirate senior Jonathan Schriner put the hosts on top 2-1 with a goal in the 18th minute.

Simon Derstine extended the lead to 3-1 seven minutes later, and it stayed that way to intermission.

Falcon Isaac Holland netted a goal less than two minutes into the second half to cut the Pirate lead to 3-2. 

But Schriner tallied his second goal with under two minutes remaining to give the Pirates some breathing room and provide the final margin.

Thad Mittendorf dished out two assists for Bluffton, while Schriner and Jude Spallinger each passed for one assist.

Bluffton put half of its 12 shots on goal. The Falcons got off 10 shots, with seven on target.

Keeper Nic Essinger made five saves in goal for the Pirates. Mike Hough of Riverdale was credited with two stops.    

In the 2019 post-season, Bluffton beat Riverdale 1-0 in overtime at the district final level. In the 2019 regular season, the Falcons and Pirates also battled to a 0-0 tie. 

First-place Bluffton (3-0 NWC) visits Lincolnview (2-6-4, 1-3 NWC) Monday, October 5 in a league match. The Pirates will be gunning for their 29th straight NWC win in a row.