By: Colton Steiner

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's soccer team traveled across the Ohio-Indiana border to face off against the Franklin College Grizzlies in an HCAC matchup on Saturday, Oct. 12. After downing Manchester 2-1 in their last game, the Beavers came into this one and got business done again, defeating the Grizzlies on their home turf, 2-0. This victory moved Bluffton to a record of 5-4-3 overall and 2-2 in the HCAC.

The contest started off with both teams getting one shot a piece in the first 20 minutes. However, the Beavers found the back of the net with their second shot of the contest after Brycen Boyle (Middletown) scored off a pass from Jackson Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale) to give Bluffton a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. The Beavers would be aggressive, outshooting Franklin 6-3 in the first half as they would go into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

The visitors would come out firing in the second half and they extended their lead when Leonardo Campos (Santiago, Chile/Campbellsville University) snuck a shot past the Grizzly keeper, making the score 2-0 in the 70th minute. The Bluffton defense would act like a wall and not allow the Grizzlies to get on the board as they marched their way to a 2-0 shutout.

The Beavers edged out Franklin in total shots 12-7, including 4-3 on frame. In goal for the Beavers was Zach Johnson (Middletown) who snagged three saves in the contest.

Bluffton will look to carry this momentum down to Kentucky when the Beavers face off against Berea College in a night contest on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a 7 p.m. start time.

-Beavers-