By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
October 18, 2008

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team picked up its seventh win in the 2008 season with a 1-0 shutout of Franklin College on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Bluffton improved to 7-6-1 on the season and 3-2 in the HCAC. Franklin dropped to 3-11 on the season, with a 1-3 mark in the conference.

The seven wins by Bluffton are the most since the Beavers went 7-10 in 1999, while the three HCAC victories matches the 2005 squad for the most-ever in Heartland Conference play with three more HCAC contests in 2008.

Taking advantage of a direct kick which surprised the Franklin keeper, senior NATE FLATH(Wadsworth/Wadsworth) found the back of the net at the 69:16 minute mark to give Bluffton the lone goal of the match and the victory against HCAC rival Franklin. It was Flath's 10th goal of the season, tying him for team-high honors with sophomore JACOB GRAHAM (Gomer/Elida).

Flath led the Bluffton offense with five shots while STEVE RUCKI (Killbuck/West Holmes) chipped in with four shots. Sophomore BRIAN GOOD (Elida/Elida) did the job in goal with five saves in the shutout.

Bluffton produced 14 shots while Franklin generated 11. The Beavers were whistled for 15 fouls, compared to 18 for the Grizzlies. Bluffton forced two corner kicks and only gave up one. Franklin's keeper collected five saves during the match.

Bluffton returns to action when the Beavers host HCAC rival Manchester College on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. The contest is slated to start at 4 p.m. following the women's match.

-BEAVERS-