August 30, 2008

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University soccer team came from behind and used a Nate Flath (Wadsworth/Wadsworth) score with less than eight minutes remaining to take down Grace College by a tally of 2-1 on Saturday, August 30, 2008. The Beavers did something no Bluffton men's soccer team has accomplished since 1988 by opening the season 2-0. It marks only the third time in program history that the Beavers have started 2-0.

Joel Franklin gave Grace the early 1-0 advantage less than five minutes into the contest when he took a pass from Ryan Gerber and converted. The Beavers responded midway through period one when freshman Steve Rucki (Killbuck/West Holmes) found sophomore Jacob Graham (Gomer/Elida) who knotted the score at one.

The game remained deadlocked for the next 55 minutes until Nate Flath, who dished out three assists against Moody Bible, found the back of the net at the 82:44 mark thanks to an assist from freshman Justin Ryerson (Perrysburg/Perrysburg).

Bluffton placed 14 shots on goal compared to nine for Grace. The Lancers forced 10 corner kicks and limited Bluffton to just a pair for the contest. Sophomore Brian Good (Elida/Elida) finished with seven saves while Flath and Graham led the Beavers with four shots apiece.

Following the two victories, Bluffton will prepare for its home opener against Huntington on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.

-BEAVERS-