BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team was less than two minutes away from doing something that had never been done in its history when Rose-Hulman stunned the Beavers with two goals in the final 1:46 to take the Heartland Conference opener 3-2 on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. It marked the 20th straight win over Bluffton for the Engineers who improved to 2-4-2 overall and 1-0 in the HCAC. Bluffton slipped to 3-4-2 and 0-1 in conference play.

A long ball from Alex Brown (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) found the head of Ben Davidson (Greenville) and he nursed it into the back of the net for a 1-0 Bluffton lead at the 8:41 mark of the first half.

The 1-0 lead held for over 60 minutes until netted the equalizer with less than 19 minutes to play. The action was just heating up when senior Jackson Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale) took advantage of a free kick just inches outside of the penalty box for a 2-1 lead in minute 76.

With 1:46 to play Cameron Hannah stunned the Beaver faithful with his first goal of the season and then he ripped their hearts out less than a minute later with his header into the back of the net.

Rose finished with a slim 14-11 edge in shots and just 5-4 on target. Both teams were whistled for eight fouls and Bluffton forced five of the eight corner kicks on Saturday afternoon. 

Clark and Davidson led the Beavers with two shots apiece. Sophomore Zach Johnson (Middletown) finished with two saves against the Engineers.

Bluffton makes the long trek to Hanover College for a 3:30 meeting with the Panthers next Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

-BEAVERS-