October 15, 2008

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team took a page out of the men's playbook and handed Coach Smucker his first victory over the Defiance College women with a 1-0 shutout on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. The Beavers improved to 4-7-1 overall and 2-2 in the HCAC, while Defiance slipped to 5-7-1 and 2-2 in the conference.

For the second night in a row, Coach Smucker notched his first ever win over a Defiance College soccer team. The Bluffton women had been on the wrong end of nine straight decisions to the Jackets, including five shutouts during that time frame which dated back to a 2-1 Beavers' victory in 2000. The two HCAC wins by Bluffton also matches the most ever by a Bluffton women's soccer team since the Beavers entered the Heartland Conference.

Much like the men's contest a day ago, the two teams entered halftime in a scoreless tie. Defiance took nine shots, compared to four by the Beavers in the opening period.  However, Bluffton forced five corner kicks in the half, one more than the home team.

Bluffton scored the only goal of the contest at the 52:16 mark when ALEX JESS (Piqua/Piqua) found MEGHAN FORQUER (North Canton/Green) for her third score of the year which turned out to be the game-winner.

Although Defiance took seven more shots than the Beavers (17-10), Bluffton placed eight on frame, compared to just five for the Yellow Jackets. The fouls were nearly even, 13 for Bluffton and 11 for Defiance. Both squads forced seven corner kicks in the match.

ALLISON WHITE (Lima/Shawnee), LYNDSAY NELSON (St. Mary's) and MEGAN DENOI (Bryan) all fired two shots in the victory with both of White's on frame. Freshman keeper KATY WISBY (Lancaster/Bloom-Carroll) picked up the victory while stopping five Jacket shots and not allowing a goal for her third career shutout.

The Bluffton women can move past the .500 mark in HCAC play when the Beavers host Franklin College on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. The match is slated to start at 1 p.m.

-BEAVERS-