Bluffton University nearly pulled off the upset of Hanover College on Sunday, Oct. 3, but the Panthers scored with 10 minutes to play and again with a minute left in overtime for a 2-1 victory. Bluffton slipped to 4-4 overall and 0-2 in the Heartland Conference, while Hanover improved to 6-3-1 and 2-0 in the HCAC.

The Beavers went up 1-0 at the 38:25 mark when a beautiful cross from Maximilian Pierce (Middletown/Lebanon) connected with JJ Meyer (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) and he did the rest, finding the upper right corner of the target area for his second goal of the season!

Bluffton was just over 10 minutes away from depositing its first HCAC victory of the season in the bank when Carlos Schryver netted the equalizer in minute 80. Then with less than a minute to play in the first extra session, Schryver broke Bluffton's hearts with the game winner.

Hanover finished with a 36-6 edge in total shots, including 11-4 on frame. The visitors forced three more corner kicks (7-4), while Bluffton was whistled for 10 more fouls (18-8).

Sophomore Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) led the Beavers with three shots (two on target). Freshman Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) turned away nine Hanover attempts on Sunday afternoon.

Bluffton will be back at the Sears Complex for a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.