BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team dropped a 6-1 decision to HCAC-leader Hanover College on a rainy Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Bluffton fell to to 2-9-3 overall and 0-4-2 in the Heartland Conference following the Senior Day setback. The Panthers improved to 10-1-3 with a spotless 6-0 mark in the HCAC.

Hanover stalwart Beth Cook put the visitors up 1-0 with her 15th goal of the season in minute 18. The Panthers led 2-0 when Nina McGinn (Marion/Harding) notched her team-best fifth tally 10 minutes later. Hanover knocked another goal in right before the break, making it 3-1 after 45 minutes. 

A second Cook score pushed it to 4-1 early in the second stanza and Hanover added two more late scores en route to a dominating 6-1 victory.

McGinn put all three of her shot attempts on frame and fellow senior Katelyn Burden (Sidney) chipped in with two shots. Junior Brielle Collier (Anna) was busy, making 22 saves on a wet Saturday afternoon.

Hanover fired away to the tune of a 41-7 advantage in total shots, including 30-5 on target. The visitors forced eight of the 10 corner kicks and were whistled for two more fouls (7-5).

Bluffton will hit the road for a 4 p.m. matchup with rival Defiance on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

-BEAVERS-