BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team scored early and often in a 5-0 rout of overmatched Ohio Christian on a hot Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. It marked the second straight five-goal performance for the men at the Sears Complex as Bluffton moved to 2-1 on the season following home victories over Emory & Henry and OCU.

Sophomore Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) headed home a Maxwell Kennedy (Strongsville) corner kick at the 9:18 mark to put Bluffton on the board early. Just over one minute later, senior Dalton Taynor (Troy/Miami east) eased one past the out-of-position OCU keeper for his 5th goal of the season and a 2-0 Beaver advantage. Fellow senior Jacob Kiger (Groveport/St. Charles Prep) connected with Zimmerman for his second goal in five minutes as the home team put the proverbial nail in the coffin less than 16 minutes into the match.

A boisterous punt from freshman keeper Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) hit Zimmerman in stride for his first career hat trick just over a minute into period two. It marks the first hat trick for Bluffton since Taynor put a three-spot on Finlandia back in October of 2019. It was also the second assist of the year for Velasco-Urbina. Freshman Benjamin Davidson (Greenville) closed out the 5-0 shutout with his first collegiate tally in minute 53.

Zimmerman put four shots on frame, while Taynor added three shots on goal. Kiger, Davidson and Aaron Stearns (Pataskala/Watkins Memorial) chipped in with three shots apiece. Velasco-Urbina stopped OCU with three saves before senior Steven Liptak (Uniontown/Hoover) added a save in minute with a minute to play.

The Beavers pelted OCU with 32 shots, compared to just nine for the Trailblazers. The on-frame margin was 15-5. Bluffton was whistled for two more fouls (18-16) and the Beavers forced seven more corner kicks (11-4).

Bluffton will be right back on its home pitch Saturday when Thiel College from the PAC comes to town. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at the Sears Complex. GO BEAVERS!

-BEAVERS-