September 10, 2006

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team (0-2) gave a talented Goshen squad all it could handle before an injury and rain slowed its attack. With  the score tied at the 65 minute mark, Bluffton's TYLER CHAPMAN (Shreve/Triway) went down with an ankle injury as the Beavers were controlling the action. Twenty minutes later when play resumed, a steady rain contributed to the first score of the game as KYLE STIFFNEY slid a shot into the left corner of the goal putting the Maple Leafs up, 1-0. Bluffton answered the call seven minutes later when NATE FLATH (Wadsworth/Wadsworth) flashed across the front of the goal and directed ANDREW MARTIN'S (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny Sr.) pass into the net. As fans were preparing for the second overtime game of the afternoon, Goshen's CODY FELTON pushed the game-winner across with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. The Maple Leafs held on to push their record to 2-3.

Although the Leafs took 24 shots compared to 10 for the Beavers, Goshen put only six of those shots on goal while Bluffton countered with four. ROBERT ROHRER (Millersburg/West Holmes) paced the offensive attack for the Beavers with three shots, two on goal. LOUIS CANCASCI (Twinsburg/Twinsburg) and Chapman both took two shots while Flath scored Bluffton's lone goal.

Goshen's TONY JANZEN tallied 12 shots for the Maple Leafs, however only two of them were on goal. Stiffney opened the scoring for Goshen and Felton knocked in the game winner at the 87:32 mark.

Senior goalkeeper RYAN THOMAS (Jamestown/Greenview) ended the contest with four saves.

The Beavers and Leafs ended the game with 11 fouls each, but the Beavers were hit with three yellow cards.

Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 13, when it plays host to Urbana University. The men's contest is scheduled to kick-off at 3 p.m.