By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton boys soccer team whipped Spencerville 6-0 to begin defense of their Northwest Conference crown in the league opener Monday night.

The Pirates improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in NWC play with the win. The Bearcats dropped to 1-1 and 0-1 in NWC action after the defeat.

Bluffton's Nolan Hoffman started the scoring early with a pair of goals at the two and four-minute marks.

Pirate Jude Spallinger tallied a goal at 13:23 to extend the lead to 3-0, which is how it stayed into halftime.

Kaden Basil scored at the 58:03 juncture to increase the Pirate margin to 4-0. Theo Andreas found the back of the net at 71:04. Basil added a second goal at the 75-minute mark to close the scoring.

Bluffton put 11 of its 17 shots on goal. The Bearcats aimed five of their seven shots on target. Basil was also credited with six saves.

The Pirates are now 31-0 all-time in NWC play.

The Pirates host tough Perrysburg (2-2) Thursday, September 2 at Steinmetz Field.