By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls soccer team defeated spunky local rival Allen East 3-1 in Div. V Northwest sectional final tournament play on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Steinmetz Field. 

Carli Wise scored a goal and dealt an assist to pace Bluffton offensively. The Pirate girls improved to 8-8-2 with the lopsided victory. Allen East ended its season 2-12-4 after the loss. 

Bluffton’s Audra Snyder started the scoring with a goal in the 14th minute. Addilyn Shoemaker increased the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 34th minute courtesy of an assist from Wise. 

AE’s Maci Freewalt tallied the Mustang goal in the 37th minute to inch the visitors within 2-1 at halftime. 

Wise put the Pirates back on top by two goals with a score in the 46th minute, assisted by Addilyn Shoemaker. The goal gave the Pirates some breathing room, ahead 3-1. 

The Bluffton defense was able to preserve its lead by shutting out the Mustangs over the last 43 minutes. 

Bluffton fired 10 of its 27 shots on goal. AE mustered just three shots, one of which was on frame. 

Bluffton keeper Maelee Miller made one save in goal. Busy Mustang keeper Liberty Hawk came up with seven saves. 

UP NEXT 
The Pirate girls face a tall task in the upcoming district semifinals. The win

advances the team to host undefeated and top-seeded Miller City (15-0-2) on Monday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. on the Pirate home pitch of Steinmetz Field.