Pirates visit Van Buren on October 10

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School girls soccer team scored two goals in the final five minutes to tie Columbus Grove 2-2 in a thrilling finish to their Northwest Conference-deciding clash Tuesday night, October 3, at Steinmetz Field.

With the dramatic tie on an unseasonably hot evening, Bluffton repeated as outright league champions and won its third NWC crown in the last four years.

A loss to Grove would have likely meant a shared three-way title with the Bulldogs and Allen East. But the comeback tie means the Pirates finished as the only undefeated team in the league with five wins.

The Pirate girls ended up 5-0-1 in the NWC after the crucial draw outcome in their league finale, and thus can’t be caught. Bluffton’s overall record is now 9-4-2.

Columbus Grove led Bluffton 2-0 at halftime. Lauren Auchmuty tallied in the 19th minute, and Ruth Myers scored in the 37th minute to build a two-goal margin.

The Pirates were held scoreless until five minutes remained, and a comeback seemed highly unlikely. 

But Aubrey Burkholder found the back of the net on an assist by Blair Utendorf in the 76th minute to start the rally and cut the deficit to 2-1.

In the final minute Burkholder returned the favor. She passed to Utendorf, who sent the equalizing goal past keeper Erianne Heffner with just seconds remaining to knot the match.

The clutch goal clinched the outright league championship for Bluffton.

Grove, which won the other title during that four-year span in 2021, ran its record to 5-4-1 overall and 3-1-1 in NWC play with one league match left after the late-match collapse.  

The Bulldogs are now third in the league standings, just behind second-place Allen East (4-1). Bluffton beat the Mustangs 3-2 to pave the way to the eventual league crown. 

AE beat Grove earlier this season and hosts sixth-place Spencerville (1-6-1, 1-3-4 NWC) October 9 in their league finale, so the Mustangs have the inside track to second place with a win over the struggling Bearcats.

Bluffton booted nine of its 22 shots on goal. CG got off just five shots, but four were on target.

Pirate goalkeeper Kynzie Ewing made two saves, while Heffner was credited with seven stops.

The Pirates visit tough non-league foe Van Buren (8-2-2) Thursday, October 10.