By: Kyle Stover, sports information assistant
Oct. 30, 2013

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team was back at the friendly confines of the Sears Complex for their final home match of the year on Wednesday, Oct. 30, falling to rival Defiance College in an intense 2-1 contest. The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead into halftime with the Beavers tying it up early in the second period before Defiance netted what would turn out to be the winning goal in the 62nd minute.

The first half was relatively quiet until KEVIN ARRIOLA found the back of the net for the Yellow Jackets. Defiance carried that 1-0 lead into the half as the teams fought back and forth throughout the remainder of the first half.

Bluffton came out and answered quickly in the second half when PETER CARLSON (Toledo/Springfield) broke loose and scored off of an assist by GRANT STUTZMAN (Sugarcreek/Hiland). Things stayed knotted at one until the 62nd minute, when ASHTEN FORDE scored a goal thanks to an assist by DREW METZ to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 advantage. The Beavers made a late charge in the second half to tie things up, but were not able to catch a break. Defiance keeper SEAN ROBERTS made a magnificent diving save on a rocket off of the foot of RYAN JOHNSON-EVERS (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) in the 78th minute and made three more saves in the next three minutes to preserve the win for the Yellow Jackets.

Carlson led the Bluffton offense on the day with three shots, while Johnson-Evers had two. Beaver goalkeeper CHRIS WAGLER (Leipsic/Pandora-Gilboa) had four saves in the contest.

Bluffton fell to 1-14 overall and 1-7 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with the loss while Defiance improved to 9-9 (4-4 HCAC). The Beavers will wrap up their season on the road on November 2 when Bluffton takes on Transylvania. That match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Thomas Field in Lexington, Ky.

-BEAVERS-