By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School girls soccer team crushed visiting Lima Central Catholic 7-0 in a Northwest Conference mismatch on Thursday, September 11 at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirate girls improved to 4-5 overall and 3-0 in NWC play with the lopsided home victory.

LCC fell to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the NWC after the defeat.

Bluffton’s Mya McDougle registered a hat trick with goals in the 11th, 44th and 48th minutes. 

Blair Utendorf scored in the 14th minute via a Jaicelyn Morris feed to make it 2-0 Pirates at the half. 

Aubrey Burkholder tallied back-to-back goals in the 46th and 47th minutes on consecutive helpers by McDougle. 

Carly Wise tacked on the seventh goal in the 59th minute off a Utendorf pass.  

Burkholder assisted the first goal by McDougle. Willow Derstine later assisted on her second goal 33 minutes later.

Bluffton fired 33 of its whopping 59 shots on goal. LCC got off zero shots against the stingy Pirate defense.

Pirate keeper Kynzie Ewing did not have to make a single save, while Thunderbird goalie Alexis Mummert was credited with 26 saves.

Tied atop the league with Columbus Grove at 3-0, Bluffton plays at backyard Northwest Conference rival Allen East (1-5-1, 1-2 NWC) on Tuesday, Sept. 16.