By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __The Bluffton High School girls soccer team ran out to an early lead and defeated visiting local rival Allen East 4-1 in a Northwest Conference match on Thursday night, Sept. 24, at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirate girls improved to 5-5 overall and 4-0 in the NWC with the decisive win. Bluffton is tied with Columbus Grove at 4-0 in the league standings.

AE fell to 0-10-2 and 0-3-1 in NWC play after the loss.

Bluffton’s Samantha Rueller scored two goals to pace the victors. She tallied in the second minute to give the hosts a quick 1-0 lead.

Phoebe Edwards-Leeper found the back of the net in the 12th minute to put the Pirates ahead 2-0.

Rueller scored again in the 39th minute to give Bluffton a 3-0 cushion at halftime.

Pirate Kinzi Koogler found the back of the net in the 65th minute to put the game well out of reach at 4-0.

AE’s speedy Maci Freewalt netted the lone Mustang goal in the 74th minute to avoid a shutout and cut the final deficit to three.

Bluffton fired 12 of its 21 shots on goal. AE directed both of its shots on frame.

Pirate keeper Maelee Miller made one save. The Mustang keeper was credited with eight saves.

UP NEXT
Bluffton faces tough Western Buckeye League foe Elida (7-0-2) on the road Saturday, Sept. 26. 

The Pirates visit league rival Lima Central Catholic (3-5-2, 0-1-2 NWC) on Monday, Sept. 28.