The Bluffton University women's soccer team battled St. Mary's tooth and nail for 90 minutes but came up just short in a 2-1 loss to the Belles on a rainy Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. The Beavers dipped to 2-4 on the season, while SMC improved to 6-1 overall.

St. Mary's standout Rose Stackhouse came into Bluffton with six goals in six games, but on Monday afternoon she switched roles and became the tablesetter. The senior connected with Julian Bowen twice in the opening stanza as the visitors opened up a 2-0 lead at the break.

Late in the second half, Bluffton pulled out all the stops and nearly sent the match into overtime when Frankie Hamilton (Ashland/Mapleton) connected with fellow junior Taylor Dye (Big Prairie/West Holmes). The home team continued to put pressure on the Belles, but SMC held on for the 2-1 victory on Monday.

Juniors Nina McGinn (Marion/Harding) and Emma White (St. Marys/Memorial) both put up three shots against the Belles. Saint Mary's finished with five more attempts (17-12), but Bluffton forced six (8-2) more corner kicks. Freshman Brielle Collier (Anna) knocked away six SMC shot attempts.

Bluffton travels to Bethany in West Virginia for a non-conference matchup with the Bison on Saturday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.