By Cort Reynolds

BRYAN __The visiting Bluffton High School boys soccer team upset Bryan 2-1 in an overtime shootout to capture their marathon Div. IV sectional final tournament match on Thursday, October 16.

The game was scoreless over the first 45 minutes, and neither team tallied in the 30-minute overtime periods to necessitate a shootout.

Ashton Ungashick converted the clutch final shot to give Bluffton a 5-4 win in the penalty kick shootout.

The Pirate boys improved their record to 6-9-3 after the victory.

Bluffton advances to face Elida (9-14), which knocked off Bath 4-1 in a WBL battle Thursday night. The district semifinals will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Kalida at 7 p.m.

The Pirates tied Elida 1-1 back on August 23.

The Golden Bears end their season 10-6-1 with the defeat.

Bryan finally broke the scoring ice in the defensive battle with a goal in the 46th minute by Bryce Welling.

But Bluffton tied it up nine minutes later to ultimately force overtime. Gavin Amstutz tallied the equalizer in the 55th minute to make it 1-1. 

Neither team scored over the next 55 minutes before the dramatic shootout took place.

Bluffton improved to 3-4-3 on the road with the win.