The Bluffton University men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Defiance College on a sunny Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. The Jackets netted a goal in each half as they improved to 6-6 overall and 1-0 following the Heartland Conference opener. Bluffton slipped to 4-3 and 0-1 in the HCAC.

Edwin Quintana found the upper right corner from 30 yards out in minute 22, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead on Wednesday. When Defiance was whistled for a foul in the box 16 minutes later, penalty kick specialist Maxwell Kennedy (Strongsville) did his thing, knotting the score at 1-1.

It was still 1-1 in minute 76 when a miscommunication near the top of the box allowed Armando Campos-Ortiz to shovel in the game winner following a touch from Noah Svanberg. The home team had its chances, but was unable to muster up an equalizer as Defiance won its 11th straight matchup with the Beavers.

Defiance finished with a 20-16 advantage in shots and a 5-1 spread for corner kicks. The Yellow Jackets were whistled for three more fouls (16-13).

Jacob Kiger (Groveport/St. Charles Prep) and Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) paced the Beavers with four shots apiece. Freshman keeper Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) was busy with nine saves in the HCAC lidlifter.

Bluffton will be back in familiar territory on Sunday, Oct. 3, when the Beavers cap off Homecoming weekend with a 3:30 p.m. matchup against HCAC heavyweight Hanover College.