FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team made the long trip to Franklin College on Wednesday, March 24, to play the Grizzlies under the lights. The Heartland Conference rivals that normally square off on Saturday afternoons battled to a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes of physical action. Bluffton moved to 1-4-2 on the season, while Franklin stands at 1-5-1.

The five points in HCAC action marks the most for Bluffton's men since 2014 when the Beavers finished 2-7 in the league. It is also just the second time since 2010 that the men have notched more than three points in conference contests.

It took over 75 minutes for Franklin to break the ice, but then Bluffton needed less than six minutes to net the equalizer as sophomore Hunter Coffey (Wapakoneta) hit paydirt in minute 84. The action was intense in spite of the lack of scoring as the handing out of cards resembled a blackjack table in Las Vegas. When the dust settled after 110 minutes on the pitch, the score was still deadlocked at 1-1, while 10 cards had been doled out by the folks with whistles.

The Grizzlies fired five more shots than the Bluffton (21-16) thanks to a 10-4 advantage in the second 45 minutes. Both teams finished with six corner kicks, while Bluffton was called for one more foul (8-7).

Standout sophomore Tanner Newport (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun Valley) racked up six saves on Wednesday night. Freshman Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) fired four shots to lead the Beavers, while Jacob Kiger (Groveport/St. Charles Prep) finished with three before being dealt a second-half red card in minute 73. Coffey, Elijah Grieser (Wauseon/Pettisville) and Justin Combs (Union/Northmont) all chipped in with two shots for the visitors.

Bluffton will hit the road again on Sunday, March 28, when the men travel to Hanover College. The Beavers kick off at 3:30 p.m. following the women's matchup with the Panthers.

-BEAVERS-