September 22, 2007

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team (1-6) put up a valiant effort against Thomas More College (6-1), but a CHRIS DEZARN goal broke a 3-3 tie with just over five minutes to play as the Saints picked up a 4-3 victory on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007. 

DeZarn put Thomas More up in minute 34 when he converted a feed from NATE THRIFT in the box for a 1-0 lead. The Beavers defense stood firm throughout the remainder of the first half despite playing a man short after ANDREW JOHNSON (Vienna WV/Parkersburg) drew a red card less than 20 minutes into the match.

Junior NATE FLATH (Wadsworth/Wadsworth) knotted the score with his fourth goal of the season in the 52nd minute. 

A JASON COOPER header off a feed from DAN MILLER less than five minutes later put the Saints back on top by a score.

Freshman NOLAN PHELPS (Monroe/Lemon-Monroe) drew the Beavers even when his shot in the 60th minute found the back of the net. He knocked in his second goal in 10 minutes and third of the year to give the Beavers their first lead of the match, 3-2.

DAVID MEGEL converted on a Thomas More penalty kick with 15 minutes to play as the Saints tied the contest at three. The Saints caught the Bluffton defense out of position with just over five minutes to play and DeZarn made the Beavers pay when he connected on his second goal of the match, helping Thomas More improve to 6-1 on the season with its 4-3 victory.

Thomas More finished the match with 25 shots, including 12 on goal. The Beavers fired eight shots, with five being on target. Bluffton was whistled for 20 fouls, compared to only 11 for the visitors. Phelps took three shots and made good on two, while Flath and LOUIS CANCASCI(Twinsburg/Twinsburg) both chipped in with two shots. Freshman goalkeeper BRIAN GOOD(Elida/Elida) picked up eight saves for the Beavers.

The Bluffton men's soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 26, when it travels to Shawnee State. The match is slated to start at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-