August 31, 2007

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team opened its 2007 campaign with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the hands of Moody Bible Institute at Manchester on Friday, August 31, 2007. With the score knotted 1-1 with less than a minute to play, Moody picked up a loose ball in the box and found the back of the net for a 2-1 victory over the Beavers.

Bluffton sported a new formation and the Beavers were successful at maintaining possession of the ball in the midfield which helped create very good scoring chances. The freshman laden starting lineup received a solid effort in the goal by first-year keepers Brian Good (Elida/Elida) and Robbie Pomfrey (Cincinnati/Northwest) who each gave up one goal. As the defense improves its tackling at the outside positions, the Beavers will be able to support the attack with more consistency.

Despite playing without All-Region midfielder Nate Flath (Wadsworth/Wadsworth), the Beavers were deadlocked with Moody until DeLucas knocked in a loose ball with 33 seconds left in regulation. Brandon Kindell (Kenton/Kenton) put the Beavers on top less than 13 minutes into the contest when he took a pass from Jacob Graham (Gomer/Elida) and drilled a strike from 15 yards out.

Moody knotted the contest in minute 38 when Karl Eustache hit a four-yarder from the left side. The score remained 1-1 for over 50 minutes until Moody broke the tie just before the end of regulation.

The Beavers jump right back into action on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, when the tackle the Adrian College Bulldogs at Manchester. The contest is slated to start at 12 p.m.

-BEAVERS-