September 22, 2009

ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team fell behind 3-0 in the first half and never recovered as Mount Union dominated the Beavers in a 4-1 victory on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009. Bluffton fell to 1-5-1 on the season while the Purple Raiders improved to 5-3 with the win.

TIM DEBTH put the home team on the scoreboard midway through the first half thanks to a QUEBEC GIBBINS assist. Seven minutes later JOEY MERLO converted a putback following a BRIAN GOOD (Elida) save on another Debth shot at the 29:19 mark.

Merlo converted Gibbins' cross for his second goal of the afternoon with less than three minutes to play in period one, making it 3-0 at the break.

A JACOB GRAHAM (Elida) free kick from 20 yards out early in the second stanza cut the Purple Raiders' advantage to 3-1, but Merlo completed his hat trick following a Debth assist in minute 83 for the 4-1 final tally.

Good and DAN SAVILLE (Toledo/Central Catholic) split the duties in goal with Good collecting seven saves while Saville had three. Bluffton managed just five shots for the contest, compared to 30 for the home team. Mount Union forced seven corner kicks, four more than the Beavers, and the Purple Raiders committed five more infractions (15-10).

Bluffton returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Beavers host Mt. St. Joseph in their Heartland Conference opener.

-BEAVERS-