By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team secured a 1-1 tie with Anderson University in the final game of the 2019 season on a frigid Saturday, Nov. 2. With the tie, Bluffton (6-10-2 and 3-4-2 HCAC) forged its best mark in the Heartland Conference since 2011 when the Beavers went 5-3-1 and played in the HCAC championship game. Bluffton also extinguished Anderson't tournament hopes as the Ravens (10-3-4 and 4-2-3) needed a victory to have a chance at continuing their season.
Both defenses made their presence felt through the first 45 minutes as the score was 0-0 at the break. Bluffton put one up on the board first when Lauryn Foster-Wheeler (Sidney) found Maddie Huffman (Maineville/Little Miami) for a Beaver goal in the 60th minute. Less than 15 minutes later, Anderson's Emily Buchman netted a shot to tie the game at 1-1. Neither team was able to capitalize in either overtime session as the season ended for both teams with a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes of action.
Anderson fired a total of 29 shots compared to Bluffton's 11. The Beavers forced one more corner kick (7-6), but were whistled for 13 more fouls (17-4). Junior keepers Sienna Sullivan (Columbus/Hilliard Davidson) and Jules Frazier (Nova/Mapleton) secured eight and seven saves, respectively, in the tie.
The women ended their season with the best Bluffton record since 2015 when they went 7-11 (3-6 HCAC). The All-Heartland Conference hardware is slated to be handed out on Tuesday, Nov. 12, so continue to check the website.
-BEAVERS-
