By: Colton Steiner

BEREA, Ky. - The Bluffton Beavers men's soccer squad traveled south to go up against the Berea College Mountaineers, and despite a slow start, a strong second half performance from Bluffton was key as the Beavers would come away with a 2-0 win to improve to 3-6-1 on the year and 1-1 in Heartland Conference play. The Mountaineers are still searching for their first win of the 2025 campaign after falling to 0-6-3 and 0-1-1 in the HCAC. 

In the first 45 minutes, neither team could get much offense going as the home team finished with a slight 5-4 edge in total shots. Early in the second period, Jaden Ngufor (London, Ont. Canada/FC London) broke the tie in the 57th minute after sneaking a goal past the Mountaineer keeper off an assist from Nick Meyer (Lewisburg/Tri-County North), putting Bluffton up 1-0.

The Beavers would get add another goal thanks to a Leonardo Campos (Santiago, Chile/Campbellsville University) strike into the Berea net, extending Bluffton's lead to 2-0 in the 74th minute. The Beaver defense would stay strong, keeping Berea off the scoreboard and sealing a 2-0 win for the visitors. 

While Berea ended with an 11-10 edge in total shots, the Beavers were more accurate with their shots, having a 6-3 advantage in attempts on frame. Both Jaden Ngufor and Leonardo Campos would each make the most of their lone shot, with both players recording a goal. Nick Meyer tallied an assist and a shot on goal, Alex Brown (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) would lead the Beavers with four total shots and two shots on goal. William Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale) ripped three shots on the day. Zach Johnson (Middletown) snagged three saves in the shutout victory. 

After three straight matches on the road, Bluffton will come back home on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to host Earlham College with a kickoff time at 3 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers.

-BEAVERS-