By Cort Reynolds
Host Bluffton netted three early goals and cruised to a 7-0 win over Spencerville Tuesday evening in th Northwest Conference opener.

The four-time defending league champion Pirates improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWC with the win. The Bearcats dropped to 1-3 and 0-2 in the NWC with the defeat.

Jude Spallinger began the scoring in the 11th minute, followed four minutes later by a Jonathan Schriner goal. Kaden Basil tallied in the 21st minute and Andrew Heldman scored just before halftime to make it 4-0 at intermssion.

Simon Derstine scored in the 52nd minute, and Basil netted his second goal in the 56th minute to extend the lead to 6-0. Derstine found the back of the net in the 68th minute to close the scoring.

Bluffton peppered the Bearcat keeper by putting 21 of their 37 shots on goal.

Spencerville got off seven shots, five of which were on goal.

Spencerville made 14 saves to five by Bluffton.

Bluffton visits NWC foe Paulding (0-4, 0-1 NWC) Thursday evening.