The Bluffton University women's soccer team ejoyed its second consecutive shutout in a 3-0 victory over rival Defiance College in the Heartland Conference opener for both teams. The Beavers improved to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in the HCAC, while Defiance fell to 2-5 on the season. It is the first time Bluffton has posted consecutive shutouts since 2013 when the Beavers routed Andrews and Ohio Christian.

It took sophomore Katelyn Burden (Sidney) less than five minutes to put the visitors up when she took a feed from junior Taylor Dye (Big Prairie/West Holmes) and deposited it in the back of the net for a quick 1-0 lead. Dye was in on goal number two as well, finding Frankie Hamilton (Ashland/Mapleton) in minute 55 for her second assist of the match.

Burden iced it with her second goal of the afternoon at the 75:58 mark, making the final score 3-0. It also marked the first time since September 18, 2019, that a Beaver has netted two goals in a women's soccer match. Senior Julia Gibson (New Carlisle/Tecumseh) tallied a pair at Grace Christian, including the game winner in overtime.

The Beavers piled up a considerable 22-3 advantage in shots, including 9-1 on frame. Bluffton forced 10 of the 12 corner kicks on Wednesday at Defiance. 

Junior Nina McGinn (Marion/Harding) fired away with a team-high six shots, while Dye put all three of her attempts on target. Collier moved to 4-4 with her second straight clean sheet.

Bluffton will welcome HCAC stalwart Hanover College to the Sears Complex on Sunday, Oct. 3, as part of the Homecoming weekend festivities. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.