By Cort Reynolds
Photos by Jamie Nygaard

The Bluffton High School girls soccer team defeated visiting Mansfield Christian 4-1 in Div. III sectional final action on Thursday night, October 19, at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirates scored all four of their goals in a 12-minute span midway through the game, and the defense held MC scoreless most of the match to post the win. 

Bluffton’s overall record improved to 10-6-2 after the victory. 

The win set up a rematch with local league rival Allen East (15-3) in the district semifinals.

The Flames end their season 4-11-2 after the loss.

Pirate Aubrey Burkholder started the scoring in the 32nd minute on an assist from Blair Utendorf. 

Jenna Downey then extended the lead to 2-0 on a feed from Burkholder two minutes later.

Bluffton led 2-0 at intermission. 

Pirate Mya McDougle then scored in the first minute of the second half with a feed from Utendorf to give Bluffton a 3-0 margin.

In the 44th minute, Utendorf made it a commanding 4-0 lead with a feed from Ella Armstrong.

Flame Adrian Clary tallied the lone Mansfield goal in the 67th minute, but it was too little, too late.

Bluffton directed six of its 10 shots on goal. Four of the five MC shots were on target.

Pirate goalkeeper Kynzie Ewing made three saves, while Flame keeper Abby Heininger was credited with two stops.

Host Allen East beat sixth seed Upper Sandusky 4-2 Thursday night at the Div. III sectional finals in Harrod.

AE improved to 15-3 with the win, and the Rams ended up 12-5 after the loss.

Mustang junior ace Rilynn Jones netted three goals in the win over US to give her 44 goals and 13 assists this year. 

Rylie Jordan scored a goal and passed out an assist.  Senior Aubrey Young dished out her 21st assist, and has scored 25 goals on the season.

Rivals Bluffton and AE meet in the district semis Tuesday, Oct. 24 in Bluffton at 7:15 p.m. The Pirates won the first meeting over the Mustangs 3-2 on September 19.

The district finals are in Bluffton Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

Top seed Van Buren will play Riverdale in the other semifinal Oct. 24 in Bluffton at 5 p.m. 

VB knocked Ada out 5-0 in their sectional final Thursday night.