By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
Oct. 22, 2013

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University women's soccer team suffered a tough 3-2 overtime loss on Tuesday, Oct. 22, as they hit the road to North Manchester, Ind., to take on the top team in the HCAC, the Manchester University Spartans. After senior forward MEGAN MOREO (Spencerville/Delphos Jefferson) tied the match with less than seven minutes remaining to force overtime, the home team netted the game-winning goal with just over a minute to play in the first extra session. With the win, the Spartans improved to 9-6-1 and 5-1 in HCAC play. The Beavers fell to 4-8 overall and 2-4 in the Heartland Conference.

After the first half ended in a scoreless tie, the Beavers kicked off the scoring in the 49th minute as freshman midfielder KRISTEN TROPF (Findlay/Van Buren) buried her team-leading ninth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. The Spartans did not take long to respond, however, as BRANDY KROUSSEscored her eighth goal of the season in the 56th minute, with the assist from KATELYN BARTA.

Just five minutes later, junior AMBER KENT was able to score her second of the season for the Spartans to give them their first lead of the contest. It would take nearly 30 minutes for the Beavers, but Moreo was able to break through to tie the match with her third goal of the season from fellow senior AIMEE WHITMER (Grand Rapids/Otsego). However, despite getting three shots in the first three minutes of the overtime period, they could not find the back of the net before Barta capitalized, giving the home team a 3-2 win.

The stats showed just how even the two teams played, as the Spartans outshot the Beavers by just one, 18-17. Senior goalkeeper MAGGIE ARMSTRONG (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland) was in net for the loss and picked up six saves for Bluffton.

The Beavers will hit the road again this Saturday, Oct. 26, as they take on the Franklin College Grizzlies, who currently sit at 8-4 overall, but are just a half-game ahead of the Beavers in the HCAC standings. Next Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Bluffton women will return home to start off rivalry week when they take on the Defiance College Yellow Jackets at the Sears Complex. Kickoff is currently set for 4 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-