Posted: Oct 27, 2010
October 27, 2010
By: Josh Bruner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team was matched goal for goal by Defiance College as they finished in a 2-2 tie after double overtime. This tie, coupled with a 1-0 Hanover win over Franklin, ended the Beavers hopes of making a first ever Heartland Conference Tournament appearance since the field was narrowed to four teams. The Yellow Jackets' tally early in the second period also stopped Bluffton's consecutive streak of shutout minutes at a school-record 558:49. The tie puts Bluffton at 7-8-2 overall with a 4-3-1 HCAC record, while Defiance stands at 4-8-4 overall with a 2-4-2 HCAC mark.
The Beavers looked in control with the wind at their backs throughout the first half. The first score was an own goal on a MADDIE MOORE (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) corner kick at the 11:53 mark. Bluffton added another own goal following a KOURTNEY LEWIS(Arlington/Riverdale) serve at the 35:59 mark to put the Beavers up 2-0 going into the half.
The Yellow Jackets pulled together in the opening stages of the second half, adding two goals of their own while holding the Beavers scoreless. The goals came from JANELLE DOENGES and KATIE HEITKAMP. The two Defiance scores sent the match into extra time following 90 minutes of action.
Both teams failed to find the back of the net in overtime. The contest ended at 2-2 after 110 minutes of play.
Bluffton University fired 21 shots (eight on frame), while Defiance College managed to take 18 (10 on target). The Beavers forced 14 corner kicks, while the Yellow Jackets managed just three. The game proved to be aggressive as the Beavers committed 14 fouls and the Yellow Jackets eight.
Kourtney Lewis led the Beaver offense with five shots, three on frame. JESSICA RAMIREZ(Archbold) added four shots for Bluffton. Maddie Moore and AIMEE WHITMER (Grand Rapids/Otsego) produced three shots each in the contest. MAGGIE ARMSTRONG (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland County) came up with eight saves in the tie.
The Bluffton women will travel to Hanover for their final contest of 2010 on Saturday, October 30. The HCAC battle is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
-BEAVERS-