Sept. 20, 2008

THIEL, Penn. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team was manhandled in the Beavers' 5-1 loss at Thiel College on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008. The Tomcats improved to 3-5 while Bluffton fell to 2-3-1 with the defeat.

Thiel went up 1-0 five minutes into the match when MATT BRANNON found the back of the net. SAMMY KOYL followed with his first of two goals 16 minute later, scoring what turned out to be the game-winner.

Bluffton freshman STEVE RUCKI (Killbuck/West Holmes) inserted into the starting lineup due to the recent injury to captain DERRICK SCOVANNER (Loveland/Cincinnati Hills), cut the deficit in half with his first collegiate goal in minute 27.

The score remained 2-1 until Koyl buried his second goal of the game midway through period two. Thiel tacked on two more scores in the last five minutes to make the final score 5-1 in favor of the Tomcats.

In a very physical contest Thiel was whistled for 21 fouls, nine more than Bluffton. The Tomcats picked up four yellow cards while Bluffton was called for just one. NATE FLATH(Wadsworth/Wadsworth) paced Bluffton with four shots in the loss.

The Beavers return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 23, when they welcome Taylor-Ft. Wayne to Bluffton. The contest is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-