October 15, 2011

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University women's soccer team had to go to extra time but the end result was the same as the Beavers posted their fourth straight shutout while establishing a school record with seven shutouts on the season. Bluffton improved to 8-3-1 overall and 3-2 in the Heartland Conference, while the home team slipped to 9-4 and 3-2 in the HCAC.

The Griz defense held Bluffton in check until senior LYNDSAY NELSON (St. Marys) connected with freshman goal-scoring machine TAYLOR FULTZ (Camden/Preble Shawnee) for the game-winning header with less than four minutes on the clock in overtime period number two.

The Beavers clinched their first-ever .500 season when Fultz found the back of the net for her Heartland Conference-best ninth goal of the year. Bluffton is also within two matches of the consecutive scoreless minutes streak of 558:49 set a season ago.

KATHLEEN REID (Midlothian, Va./Manchester), JESSICA RAMIREZ (Archbold) and MADDIE MOORE (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) all fired three shots in the Bluffton victory while sophomore keeper MAGGIE ARMSTRONG (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland Cty.) picked up six saves for the visitors.

Bluffton nearly doubled up on the Grizzlies with 15 shots to eight for Franklin. The visitors forced four more corner kicks (6-2) and were whistled for one more foul (6-5).

The Beavers will look to guarantee their first-ever winning season when Bluffton travels to Manchester College on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The matchup with the Spartans is slated for 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-