October 26, 2011

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team stayed in the hunt for its first-ever Heartland Conference tournament berth with a thrilling 1-0 victory at Defiance College on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011. Freshman AMANDA HUNSBERGER'S (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview) goal with less than 15 minutes to play gave the visitors a much-needed victory and set the stage for an exciting Saturday of soccer at the Sears Complex when the Beavers welcome Hanover College for the final match of the regular season. 

The Beavers improved to 10-3-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the Heartland Conference, both victory totals the most ever for a women's soccer team at Bluffton. Defiance slipped to 4-14 overall and 2-6 in the HCAC.

The two teams were unable to generate any offense in the first half as they combined for just six shots total in the first 45 minutes of action. The Beavers put all three of their attempts on frame, while Defiance countered with two shots on goal.

Both squads made adjustments at half-time and the shot attempts picked up after the break. Although Defiance racked up twice as many shots as the Beavers (10-5) in period two, it was Amanda Hunsberger's only attempt of the afternoon that proved to be the difference. Her shot squirted through the keeper's hands at the 75:15 mark, giving Bluffton the 1-0 result that it needed with her third tally of the season.

Sophomore goalkeeper MAGGIE ARMSTRONG (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland Cty.) put up her seventh shutout performance of the season to secure the win which was also Bluffton's school-record ninth shutout of the year. The Beavers have allowed just 13 goals this season in their 15 matches. Senior mid-fielder KOURTNEY LEWIS (Arlington/Riverdale) pressured the Yellow Jackets with three shots in the victory, all of which were on target.

Defiance finished with a 13-8 advantage in total shots. Both teams committed six fouls and Bluffton forced one more corner kick (5-4) than the home team.

Bluffton welcomes HCAC-leading Hanover College to the Sears Complex for Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. The contest, with HCAC tournament implications on the line for both squads, is slated to start at 12 p.m.

-BEAVERS-