By: Colton Steiner

HANOVER, Ind. - After a week off, the Bluffton University men's soccer team hit the road to take on the Hanover College Panthers in a HCAC battle. Despite the tough Beaver defense, the Panthers were able to walk away with a 2-0 victory to improve to 3-5-2 (1-1 HCAC) while Bluffton dipped to 3-4-3 and 0-2 in conference play.

The Panthers were able to break the seal and get on the board first after a goal from Patricia Campos put the home team up 1-0 less than seven minutes in. Despite the slow start, the Beavers found their footing and only allowed one more shot the rest of the first half.

While the first half was neck and neck, the home team turned up the intensity in the second half, outshooting the Beavers 17-1. The offensive pressure was able to show itself as Hanover would extend the lead to 2-0 after a goal from Andrew Pavlisko snuck past Bluffton goalie Zach Johnson (Middletown) in the 57th minute. The Beaver offense struggled to create any oppotunities to answer as they would walk away with the 2-0 loss.

Hanover was in complete control on Saturday with a staggering 19-2 edge in total shots and a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal. Picking up the lone shot on goal for the Beavers was Marcelo Ortiz (Leon, Mexico) while Johnson snagged seven saves in the outing.

Bluffton will look to put the loss in its rearview mirror as the Beavers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 9, when they host Manchester University with a 3:30 p.m. start time.

- BEAVERS -