September 2, 2009

GOSHEN, Indiana - Despite playing over 50 minutes with just 10 players on the field, the Bluffton University men's soccer team came away with a 1-1 double overtime tie at Goshen College on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. Bluffton opens at 0-0-1 while Goshen slipped to 3-1-1 following the tie.

The home team used a Luke Woodworth goal with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half to take a 1-0 lead over the Beavers. Goshen maintained that lead throughout the rest of the stanza and it looked like the Maple Leafs would add to their advantage when sophomore Steve Rucki (Killbuck/West Holmes) went to the bench with his second yellow card just 12 minutes into period two.

Not about to go down without a fight, Bluffton battled with Goshen and turned away its best shots, holding the Maple Leafs scoreless during the final 65 minutes of the match. With just under eight minutes remaining in regulation, Seth Hertenstein (St Marys) stunned the home crowd when he found the back of the net to knot the score at one. Bluffton held Goshen at bay during the two extra periods to avoid a loss in the Beavers' 2009 lidlifter.

The Maple Leafs pounded 27 shots, compared to just five for the visitors. Goshen also controlled the corner kicks, posting a 12-2 advantage for the evening. Junior keeper Brian Good (Elida) kept Bluffton in the match with 12 saves.

Bluffton returns to action when it travels to Marietta College for a four-team tournament on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Beavers take on host Marietta at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-