Sept. 5, 2007

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team played their best match of the year but came up just short, falling to 0-3 with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Lake Erie College on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007.

In minute 24, SCOTT STUCKEY intercepted a Bluffton pass in front of the goal and converted, giving Lake Erie the early 1-0 lead. The Bluffton back four, along with freshman goalkeeper BRIAN GOOD (Elida/Elida), held The Storm in check for the remainder of the first half to keep the deficit at one goal going into halftime.

As a streaking JOE STARVAGGI got behind the Bluffton defense on the right sideline early in the second half, he found JACOB DRAKE sprinting to the front of the goal, giving Lake Erie a 2-0 lead with just under 30 minutes to play.

The Beavers responded less than two minutes later when sophomore BRANDON KINDELL(Kenton/Kenton) caught the Lake Erie defense off-guard and rifled a shot just under the crossbar for his second goal of the season. Although Bluffton received solid contributions from its bench throughout the contest, the Beavers rally fell short as The Storm held on for a 2-1 victory.

Despite a match that saw 30 fouls called, only one yellow card was issued to Lake Erie. The Storm fired 16 shots, with seven on goal, while the Beavers took 13 shots, six on target.

Freshman JACOB GRAHAM (Gomer/Elida) led the Beavers with three shots, all on goal, while sophomore ANDREW MARTIN (Pittsburgh, Penn./North Allegheny) and Kindell both chipped in with two shots.

The Beavers return to action when the travel to Huntington on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. The men's match is slated to start at 3 p.m. following the women's contest at Huntington.

-BEAVERS-