NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team knew the objective. They needed to take down Manchester University and get a little help from either Earlham or Franklin. Bluffton did its part with a 1-0 shutout of the Spartans and The Grizzlies came through with a win over Transylvania, sending the Beavers to their first Heartland Conference tournament berth in school history! Bluffton moved back over .500 at 8-7 and 4-5 in the Heartland Conference, while Manchester saw its season come to an end with a 6-10-1 mark overall and 3-6 in the HCAC.

Sophomore Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) hit paydirt in minute 15 and the Bluffton defense did the rest, holding Manchester off the scoreboard for 90 minutes and in the process, the Beavers will play in the post-season conference tournament which kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Freshman Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) chalked up his fourth shutout of the season thanks to six saves against the Spartans. Zimmerman, who netted his ninth tally of the year, led the Beavers with four of their six shots.

Manchester finished with a 12-7 edge in shots and 6-3 spread in corner kicks. The home team was also whistled for five more fouls (12-7).

Bluffton will enter the HCAC Tournament as the number 6 seed. The Beavers tied with rival Defiance for 5th place, but the Jackets earned the 5 seed by virtue of their 3-2 victory over Bluffton in Heartland Conference opener back on September 29. Number 3 seed Anderson University secured the right to host Bluffton and that matchup is slated for Saturday, Oct. 30, with the time yet to be determined. Go BEAVERS!

-BEAVERS-