By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
Sept. 17, 2008

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team lost its edge against Shawnee State on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, when the Bears picked up their first win of the season. The Beavers fell to 2-2-1 on the season while Shawnee State improved to 1-5 with the victory.

The Beavers struck first when sophomore JACOB GRAHAM (Gomer/Elida) found the back of the net with a header following senior NATE FLATH'S (Wadsworth/Wadsworth) shot that rebounded off the top post at the 8:09 mark. The Bears retaliated with a goal from BRAD REFFITT to knot the score 15 minutes before halftime.

Throughout the second half tensions escalated as two yellow cards and one red card were awarded during a two-minute span due to the intense action at hand. With only 10 players on the field, the Bears managed to take the lead with a header from STEVEN COX at the 79-minute mark. Reffitt delivered his second score of the contest for Shawnee State with just over six minutes to play, effectively icing the match while giving the Bears their first victory of the 2008 season, 3-1.

Bluffton pounded 21 shots, eight on goal, while Shawnee State fired only six total shots, but all were on target. The Beavers forced six corner kicks and limited the Bears to just one. During the foul-marred contest that saw the two teams combine for 32 infractions, three yellow cards were awarded, including two for the Beavers, and one ejection for the visitors.

Nate Flath and freshman JUSTIN RYERSON (Perrysburg/Perrysburg) paced Bluffton with six and four shots, respectively. Jacob Graham had five shots, including the lone Bluffton goal which was his fourth tally of the season. Sophomore BRIAN GOOD (Elida/Elida) had three saves for the Beavers.

The Bluffton men return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, when they travel to Thiel College. The contest is slated to start at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-