BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team improved to 2-1 for the first time since 2015 following a 3-2 victory over Grace Christian on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Bluffton went up 3-0 early in the second half and then held off the visitors despite a late penalty kick that made the final score 3-2.

Frankie Hamilton (Ashland/Mapleton) connected with Nina McGinn (Marion/Harding) in the 6th minute for a quick 1-0 Bluffton lead. A rebound of her own miss at the 29:12 mark by junior Taylor Dye (Big Prairie/West Holmes) pushed the spread to 2-0 with just over 15 minutes to play in the opening period.

A Grace miscue early in the second stanza proved to be the decider as an attempt by the visitors to clear the penalty box got caught in a jet stream and then it took a bounce over the keeper's head for a 3-0 Bluffton advantage. Jennie Sue Pilieci responded with her fourth tally of the season and then a handball in the box led to another Grace score courtesy of the penalty kick.

Bluffton finished with two more shots than the visitors (14-12) and three more corner kicks (5-2). The Beavers were whistled for three more fouls and collected the only yellow card in the match.

Freshman Brielle Collier (Anna) improved to 2-1 on the season following the 3-2 victory. She finished with four saves. McGinn ripped five shots for the victors, while Dye chipped in with three attempts.

Bluffton will cap off its four-match season-opening homestand when they grace the friendly confines of the Sears Complex on Sunday, Sept. 12. Kickoff with Franciscan is slated for 3:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-