October 1, 2007

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team fell behind 2-0 in the opening half and it could not overcome that deficit in the second frame as Hanover College improved to 4-6 overall and 1-0 in the Heartland Conference with a 2-1 victory over the Beavers.

Just over six minutes into the contest, STEPHANIE TRIBBETT took advantage of miscommunication in the Bluffton backfield and trickled her shot across the goal line from the top of the box, giving Hanover an early 1-0 lead.

Junior ALLISON WHITE (Lima/Shawnee) placed a pair of shots on goal midway through the first half before FELICIA ADAMS took a feed from JENNIFER PAGE and converted for a 2-0 Hanover advantage in minute forty.

Less than 30 seconds after Hanover's second score, freshman NICOLE FREY(Wauseon/Wauseon) forced an AMY CASEBIER save as Hanover held on to its 2-0 lead at the break.

Bluffton turned up its intensity to open the second stanza as junior ELYSE BURCKHART(Tellford, Penn./Souderton) and White had good looks at the goal before junior AMY DAHL(Perrysville/Loudonville) converted on a pass from senior ROCHELLE STOLTZFUS(Bluffton/Bluffton) to trim the Panthers' lead to one goal, 2-1, with 30 minutes to play.

Hanover took control late in the game with three corner kicks and three shots in the final 10 minutes, limiting the Bluffton touches while holding on for the 2-1 victory over the Beavers.

White and Dahl led Bluffton with three shots each while Frey chipped in with two shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper ASHLEY BLOOM (Tiffin/Calvert) picked up seven saves in the loss. Hanover took 17 shots compared to 12 for the Beavers, but both squads placed nine shots on target. The corner kicks were even with six apiece and Bluffton was whistled for six fouls, two more than the Panthers.

The Beavers return to action when they welcome HCAC rival Defiance College to Bluffton on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. The match is slated to start at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-