Posted: Sep 30, 2009
September 30, 2009
By: Josh Bruner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio -The Bluffton University men's soccer team defeated the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum University, 2-1, on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. The Beavers move their record to 3-5-1 overall, while the Muskies fell to 5-5 with the defeat.
Bluffton and Muskingum both battled hard in the double overtime victory for the Beavers. Bluffton came out ready, scoring a quick goal less than nine minutes into the match, a chip in by LOUIE CANCASCI (Twinsburg) thanks to a beautiful feed from NOLAN PHELPS(Monroe/Lemon-Monroe). The Beavers' goal was the only score in the first period.
Muskingum did not give in as they battled through the second period, holding the Beavers scoreless and adding a JOHN MOLNAR goal in minute 79. The action continued to see-saw back and forth as the match went into its first overtime session.
Muskingum managed to get four shots off in the first overtime, but failed to put one in, while the Beavers did not get a shot off. In the second overtime both teams took just one shot. The Beavers, however, took advantage when senior ROBERT JOHNSON (Columbus/Marion-Franklin) ended the suspense with a header, his second late goal in as many contests, into the back of the net midway through the second overtime.
The Beaver shots were very evenly distributed as Cancasci, Johnson, STEVE RUCKI(Killbuck/West Holmes), and JACOB GRAHAM (Gomer) all finished with two each. The rest of the Beavers chipped in to put the total shots at 11, five of which were on goal. The Fighting Muskies outshot the Beavers 28-11, but Bluffton prevailed and picked up the 2-1 win. Muskingum forced nine corner kicks, compared to the seven for Bluffton.
Muskingum proved more aggressive as they had 12 fouls with one yellow card, and Bluffton had eight fouls with three yellow cards. Junior keeper BRIAN GOOD (Elida) stopped the Fighting Muskies with eight saves in just over 105 minutes.
The Beavers return to action on Saturday, October 3, when they travel to Franklin for an HCAC contest. The match is slated to start at 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-