October 1, 2006

HANOVER, Ind. - Under foreboding skies and sponge-like field conditions, the Bluffton University men's soccer team continued conference play on the road at Hanover College. The Beavers struck first, but Hanover scored four unanswered goals to keep Bluffton winless (0-8, 0-2 HCAC).

Coming out of the gate strong, Bluffton produced several great chances with two headers from JUSTIN "BOBBY" ROHRER (Millersburg/West Holmes) before sophomore NATE FLATH(Wadsworth/Wadsworth) opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Flath went on a tightrope run down the left sideline leaving several defenders in his wake before cutting into the box where he beat the Panther netminder with a shot that glanced off the back post. Keeping the Beavers in control of the contest, senior goalkeeper RYAN THOMAS (Jamestown/Greenview) came up with numerous gut wrenching saves to preserve the lead for nearly 20 minutes until the Panthers capitalized on a mistake in the back to tie the contest at one in the 39th minute. Just three minutes later, Hanover struck again with what proved to be the winning goal in the 42nd minute.

Still stinging from allowing a lead to slip away, Bluffton generated some mild threats in the second half before the game degenerated into a slugfest of ugly fouls and rain aided slide tackles. Hanover tacked on two more goals to seal the win in quick fashion, both found the net in the 69th minute, as the Beaver defense struggled with the field conditions.

As reserve players finished the game, Bluffton received exemplary efforts from freshmenCYRUS WEIGAND (Akron/St. Vincent-St. Marys) and JUSTIN SHEARER(Loudonville/Loudonville). Regulars contributing solid efforts were PATRICK JACKSON(Uniontown/Lake) and LOUIS CANCASCI (Twinsburg/Twinsburg). 

Bluffton falls to 0-8 and 0-2 in the HCAC. The Beavers return to the pitch on Tuesday, Oct. 3, when they travel to Defiance for a 4 p.m. contest against the rival Yellow Jackets.