By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys soccer team surged late from an early deficit but lost 4-3 to visiting Kalida Thursday night, October 12, at Steinmetz Field in a non-league match to end the regular season.

Bluffton dropped to 5-10-2 overall after the defeat.   

The Wildcat record improved to 7-5-3 after the close win.  

Kalida’s Owen Siebeneck opened the scoring in the third minute. Teammate Braylon Smith tallied consecutive goals in the 30th and 35th minutes to boost the Wildcats into a 3-0 lead.

Pirate Gavin Amstutz scored with just over a minute left in the first half to cut the deficit to 3-1 at halftime.

Bluffton’s Charles Wright netted a goal in the 58th minute to inch the hosts within 3-2. Smith tallied his third goal 10 minutes later to put Kalida back on top by two goals.

Pirate Jackson Brauen found the back of the net on an assist from Theo Andreas to bring Bluffton within 4-3 with just over three minutes remaining. 

Bluffton got off 15 shots, nine of which were on target. The Wildcats directed 11 of their 16 shots on target.

Pirate keepers Truett Diller and Ethan Nickel made five and one saves, respectively. Wildcat goalie Brady Fersch saved six Pirate shots.

Bluffton will host eighth seed Old Fort Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. in the sectional first round. The winner visits third-seeded Van Buren (10-6) Saturday, Oct. 21 at noon.

The district semifinals will be hosted by Tiffin Columbian at Frost-Kalnow Stadium Oct.25.