By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team headed to Terre Haute, Ind., to challenge the Rose-Hulman Fightin Engineers in their first Heartland Conference matchup of the year on a beautiful Saturday, Sept. 29. The Beavers struggled to stop the Fighting Engineers early on as they fell behind and couldn't fight their way back, taking a 6-1 loss at Rose. The defeat drops Bluffton to a record of 1-9 overall and 0-1 in HCAC play, while Rose-Hulman improved to 4-4-1 and 1-0 in conference play.

It wouldn't be long before the home team struck first after PJ Renz scored for the Engineers just 4:36 into the contest. Two more goals by Rose-Hulman at 10:59 and 17:53 stretched the lead to 3-0 entering halftime.

Bluffton struggled to stop the Fightin' Engineers as they allowed another score to start the second half to trail 4-0. Another goal by the home team made the score 5-0. Rose-Hulman would strike again in the 80th minute for a 6-0 spread.

Bluffton was able to get a shot on goal by sophomore Christian Zapata (Livonia, Mich./Adlai E. Stevenson) but quick reflexes by the Fighting Engineers goalie saved the attempt. The Beavers would finally strike paydirt after Alex Foster (Howard/Mount Vernon) recorded his first goal of the 2018 season at the 88:36 mark of the contest. The deficit was too much for Bluffton as they took a 6-1 loss but avoided the shutout.

Alex Foster would lead the Beavers on the offensive side of the ball with a team-high two shots on goal and the lone score of the game for Bluffton. Also picking up a shot on the day were Jacob Kiger (Groveport/St. Charles Prep) and Patrick Spillman (Anderson, Ind./Frankton). Hunter Fleck (North Baltimore/Van Buren) snagged seven saves for Bluffton

The Beavers will hit the road again and head north where they will face off against rival Defiance College on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 3:30.

-BEAVERS-