Posted: Sep 26, 2009
September 26, 2009
By: Josh Bruner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio -The Bluffton University women's soccer team was unable to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities early in the contest, giving Mt. St. Joseph a 2-0 lead at the break, but the second frame was a battle as they each chipped in one goal. The Lions held on for a 3-1 win over the Beavers on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The Beavers now stand 5-3 (0-1 HCAC) on the season while the Lions jumped to 5-3-1 (1-0 HCAC).
The Beavers saw three solid scoring opportunities slip through their fingers in the first half as two shots rattled off the crossbar and a KATY WISBY (Lancaster/Bloom-Carroll) chip shot from in close just missed the back of the net when it curled around the left post. Bluffton, however, did not get discouraged and the home team cut the deficit in half before MSJ answered for the final 3-1 count. The match was almost even as the Lions outshot the Beavers by a slim 17 to 15 margin.
This game started slow for both teams as they struggled to score until the 30-minute mark when ALYSSA SEILER chipped one in for the Lions. The Lions added another before half by ANDREA CALDWELL to finish off the scoring for the period.
The Beavers continued to be aggressive and fought back in the second half, scoring at 57-minute mark on a shot from sophomore KATY WISBY (Lancaster/Bloom-Carroll). The Lions answered quickly as they added another goal shortly after by BRITTANY BOWMAN to finish off the scoring for the game.
Wisby led the Beavers with five shots, one on frame. Following close behind was KOURTNEY LEWIS (Arlington/Riverdale) with four, two on frame, and CATIE WHITE (Lima/Central Catholic) with three shots, two on target. Lewis added the only assist for the Beavers.
Freshman keeper MOLLY MARTIN (Brookville) finished with seven saves in 90 minutes of action. The Beavers forced two corner kicks during the match, while Mt. St. Joseph forced four. The fouls for the teams stayed were close as Bluffton committed eight and Mt. St. Joseph committed seven.
Bluffton held its own against the 2008 Heartland Conference champions, controlling much of the action in the first stanza and getting behind the Mount defense for a number of scoring opportunities.
The Beavers return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 29, when they travel to Oberlin. The contest is slated to start at 7 p.m.
-BEAVERS-