By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls soccer team rallied but lost 5-3 to visiting Elida in a non-league match at Steinmetz Field on Saturday, September 20.

The Pirate girls dropped to 5-6 overall with the defeat. Elida improved to 7-2 after the win.

Bluffton’s Willow Derstine scored a goal in just the second minute off a Mya McDougle assist to forge a 1-0 lead.

But Elida’s Lexie Good responded with three unanswered goals in the seventh, 13th and 16th minutes to put the visiting Bulldogs on top, 3-1.

Pirate Aubrey Burkholder cut the deficit to 3-2 by scoring in the 21st minute. The score stayed that way to intermission. 

Bluffton’s Ellie Bogart tallied in the 44th minute to equalize the match at 3-3.

But Good struck for her fourth goal in the 72nd minute to break the tie and net the eventual game-winner. 

Bulldog Leegan Troyer hit the back of the net on an insurance goal in the 78th minute to provide the final margin of victory.

Bluffton directed nine of its 16 shots on goal. Elida put 11 of its 13 shots on goal.

Bluffton goalie Kynzie Ewing made six saves in goal. Arwen Troyer saved six Pirate shots.

Bluffton is back in action on Tuesday, September 23 at St. Ursula Academy. The Pirates resume conference play at Delphos Jefferson (5-5, 1-1 NWC) on Thursday, Sept. 25 at Stadium Park.

The Pirate girls are tied for first in the league standings with defending champion Columbus Grove. Both squads are 4-0 in the Northwest Conference.

The Pirates entertain Grove (6-1-2, 4-0 NWC) in the league finale showdown on Sept. 30, a match which will again determine the NWC championship. 

The rivals have combined to win the last five league titles, with the Pirates taking three of those. CG won it last year behind graduated NWC Player of the Year Lauryn Auchmuty.