By: Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant

ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton men's squad found their rhythm on Saturday, March 13, in Indiana. Looking smooth and on the same page from the first goal until the clock hit 0:00, the men's team earned their first win of the year and their first win with Head Coach Robert Richardson at the helm! The Beavers destroyed the Ravens with a 3-1 victory in a match that never felt close. It marked the first Bluffton victory over Anderson since 2011, snapping a string of eight straight setbacks at the hands of AU! The win at Anderson was Bluffton's first conference road victory since a 3-0 shutout of the Grizzlies at Franklin in 2017.

Dalton Taynor (Troy/Miami East) had himself a day with two goals. His first came in the opening period at the 11:02 mark, giving the Beavers an early 1-0 lead. At the 31-minute mark he had more of the same, striking again. Elijah Grieser (Wauseon/Pettisville) had assists on both of Taynor's first half scores.

Anderson answered back with their own tally right before the half, giving the Beavers a 2-1 lead after 45 minutes of action. Grieser got on the board thanks to an assist from freshman Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold). The Beaver defense did the rest as Bluffton nailed down victory number one of the season, convincingly, 3-1 at Anderson.

Sophomore Tanner Newport (Strongsville) was smooth between the pipes, racking up five saves for the victors. Grieser and Zimmerman both fired three shots, while Taynor, Kiger and Maxwell Kennedy (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun Valley) chipped in with two shots each.

Freshman Andrew Klepek (Sylvania/Southview) earned his first  stint on the collegiate pitch Saturday, while senior Patrick Spillman (Anderson, IN/Frankton) was victorious in his homecoming at Anderson!

The team shots were not close with Bluffton having just 13, compared to 24 for the Ravens. The Beavers also came up short in corner kick battle with Anderson forcing 10, compared to just four opportunities for the Beavers.

The men's team is back in action on Wednesday, March 17, at home. Bluffton will welcome Earlham College for a 3:30 p.m. matchup on the Salzman Stadium pitch.

-BEAVERS-