By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team hit the field at Sears Complex to face off against the Franklin College Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 6. Despite a quick attack by the Beavers, the Grizzlies were too much to handle as they rolled to a 7-2 rout of Bluffton. The Beavers dropped to 1-9-1 overall and 0-3 in Heartland Conference play, while Franklin improved to 5-6-1 and 2-1 in the HCAC.
Bluffton was the first team to strike in the third minute when Julia Gibson (New Carlisle/Tecumseh) found the back of the net. One minute later, a goal by Jalynn Gorman evened up the score at 1-1. Franklin would continue its onslaught with four more scores to take a 5-1 lead at the break.
The Grizzlies made it 6-1 with another strike in the 62nd minute by Maddie Fleet. The Beavers would show some signs of life less than a minute later after Julia Gibson scored her second goal of the day off a dish from Aubrey Bartel (Newton, KS/Newton). Fleet would sneak in another goal, giving her four tallies on the afternoon and a 7-2 victory over the home team.
Gibson led the Bluffton crew with two goals on her only two shots of the day. Skylar Liming (St. Marys/Memorial) finished with three attempts, including one on frame. In the net for the Beavers was sophomore Sienna Sullivan (Columbus/Hillard Davidson) who snagged eight saves for the Beavers.
Next up for Bluffton will be a road contest at Earlham College on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. when the Beavers look to put their first HCAC win in the books.
-BEAVERS-
