September 25, 2007
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team controlled the ball and the pace for nearly 90 percent of the match, but Tri-State netted an early second half score as the teams battled to a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes of action on a hot and breezy Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007.
The Beavers ripped 10 shots during the first 30 minutes of action before sophomore MEGHAN FORQUER (North Canton/Green) took a beautiful feed from junior ELYSE BURCKHART(Telford, Penn./Souderton) and converted on a header for her second goal of the season and a 1-0 Bluffton lead in minute 34. During the remainder of the opening stanza, the Beavers forced three corner kicks while driving three shots at Tri-State as Bluffton took a slim 1-0 lead to the break.
Bluffton came out firing in the second half, forcing a pair of MEGAN ZIELES saves, but Tri-State pushed the ball behind the Beavers' defense and JACKIE HAVENAAR, the primary threat for the Thunder who finished with four shots, made the home team pay in minute 53.
Throughout the remainder of regulation, Bluffton maintained possession of the ball, keeping Tri-State on its heels. ALLISON WHITE (Lima/Shawnee), who finished the match with a team-high 11 shots, rifled four attempts in the last 10 minutes, however Tri-State would not break as the Thunder forced extra time despite surrendering 33 shots to the Beavers.
The first overtime was controlled by the home team as Bluffton forced two straight corner kicks after Burckhart ripped a shot at Zieles.
Havenaar just missed a breakaway shot with the final seconds running off the clock as Bluffton held on for the 1-1 tie after 110 minutes.
The Beavers (1-5-1) put 15 shots on goal compared to two for the Thunder. Tri-State also found itself on the wrong side of a lopsided 13-2 count for corner kicks. Bluffton was whistled for 12 infractions compared to only four for the Thunder.
In addition to White's 11 shots, AMY DAHL (Perrysville/Loudonville), NICOLE FREY(Wauseon/Wauseon) and Meghan Forquer all finished with five shots for the Beavers.
Bluffton returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 29, when it welcomes Heartland Conference foe Hanover College. The match is slated to start at 9 a.m.
-BEAVERS-