By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School girls soccer team jumped ahead early and handily defeated Kenton 6-1 in a non-conference match at Steinmetz Field on September 16.

The Pirate girls improved to 6-3-1 with the decisive win.

Struggling Kenton drops to 1-10 after the loss.

Pirate Lily Dagani started the scoring early as she found the back of the net in the first minute on a feed from sophomore Aubrey Burkholder 

Burkholder then put the hosts in front 2-0 on a pass from Ella Armstrong. 

Kenton’s Kynzie Sprang tallied the Wildcat goal in the 20th minute to slice the deficit to 2-1.

Armstrong then scored a minute before halftime unassisted to put the Pirates ahead 3-1 at intermission.

Burkholder then scored again off a pass from Blair Utendorf in the 46th minute to extend the margin to 4-1. 

Mya McDougle then netted unassisted goals in the 57th and 76th minutes to provide the final margin of 6-1.

Bluffton directed 15 of its 28 shots on goal, while the Wildcats put four of their mere seven shots on goal. 

Pirate keeper Kynzie Ewing was credited with three saves in goal, while Wildcat keeper Ruby Styer was credited with nine stops.

The Pirate girls visit local rival Allen East (8-1) in a showdown that could determine the league title Tuesday, September 19 at 5 p.m.

AE and Bluffton are tied for first in the NWC at 3-0 with three matches left to play. The Mustangs are led by scoring aces Aubrey Young and Rilynn Jones.