By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
Sept. 23, 2008
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team stole the show with a lopsided victory against Taylor-Ft. Wayne on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. The Beavers improved to 3-3-1 while the Trojans dropped to 1-3 with the loss
Sophomore ANDREW JOHNSON (Vienna, WV/Parkersburg) sparked the Beavers' offense with a goal less than three minutes into the match. A cross from freshman KELLY BARNES(Toledo/Toledo Christian) provided senior NOLAN MILLER (Middlebury, Ind./Hesston) a chance to head the ball into the back of the net at the 24:37 mark. Less than two minutes later, sophomore JASON HUDSON (Troy/Troy) added another goal for the Beavers to make the score 3-0 midway through the first half.
Taylor-Ft. Wayne retaliated at the 40-minute mark with the lone Taylor goal from RUBEN ALARCON. Two minutes later, Nolan Miller buried his second goal of the half to make the score 4-1 at the break.
Starting out the second half, Andrew Johnson once again ignited the Beavers with a goal thanks to a nice feed from senior TYLER CHAPMAN (Shreve/Triway). At the 59:04 mark, a pass from NATE FLATH (Wadsworth) found an open JACOB GRAHAM (Gomer/Elida) for his first of three goals in the second stanza. A header from Graham thanks to a cross from junior LOUIE CANCASCI (Twinsburg/Twinsburg) put the Beavers up 7-1.
Flath hit freshman STEVE RUCKI (Killbuck/West Holmes) for his second career goal at the 69-minute mark. Following his second assist of the half, Flath added a score for the Beavers just five minutes later. Graham picked up his third goal on Flath's third assist of the night with less than two minutes left in the contest, giving Bluffton the convincing 10-1 win over Taylor-Ft. Wayne.
Jacob Graham led the Beavers with a second half hat-trick against the visitors and he also has a team-high seven goals after seven games. Andrew Johnson and Nolan Miller both found the back of the net twice. Senior Nate Flath finished the match with three assists and one goal. Steve Rucki and Jason Hudson each notched one goal.
Bluffton took 47 shots, including 32 on target, while Taylor-Ft. Wayne managed just two. Bluffton forced all seven corner kicks in the match. Freshman DAN SAVILLE (Toledo/Central Catholic), who saw time in goal during both halves in relief of starter BRIAN GOOD (Elida/Elida), had the lone Bluffton save in the contest. All 25 Beavers who dressed saw action as Coach Smucker substituted liberally throughout the match with Bluffton controlling the pace from the beginning.
The Beavers open 2008 Heartland Conference action when they travel to Mount St. Joseph on Saturday, September 27. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.