Sept. 5, 2007

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team jumped to an early lead against visiting Lake Erie College on a hot Tuesday, Sept. 4 and never looked back, opening its 2007 campaign with a 2-1 victory over The Storm. The Beavers wasted no time getting into the win column after dropping their first 10 games a year ago.

Midway through the first period, freshman forward Nicole Frey (Wauseon/Wauseon) took advantage of a slick feed from sophomore Meghan Forquer (North Canton/Green) and capitalized, putting the Beavers on top, 1-0. The excellent play of the defense and goalkeeper Samantha Williams (Toledo/Bowsher) held Lake Erie at bay throughout the entire first half, keeping the score 1-0 at the break.

With 20 minutes to play in the contest, Forquer caught the Storm off-guard and gave Bluffton a 2-0 lead. With fatigue setting in and a rearranged lineup on the field for the Beavers, Lake Erie standout Angela Bethel found a seam and closed the gap to a goal in minute 79. Although Bluffton struggled to maintain possession throughout the final 15 minutes of the contest, the Storm failed to find the range as the Beavers held on for a 2-1 victory in the season opener.

Williams finished with three saves while Frey and Forquer both knocked in goals for the victors. Junior Allison White (Lima/Shawnee) pounded Lake Erie with five shots, four on goal, and Forquer countered with four shots of her own, all on goal.

The Beavers travel to Huntington on Saturday, Sept. 8, for their first road contest of 2007. The match is slated to start at 1 p.m. and it will be immediately followed by the men's soccer match with Huntington.

-BEAVERS-