BLUFFTON, Ohio - The second soccer season of 2021 is just around the corner as Bluffton's women return to the pitch on September 1, less than five months removed from the final match of the spring campaign that played out as a result of COVID-19. The Beavers will count on their youth following the graduation of eight seniors who were an integral part in Coach Kevin Gregory's rebuild during his first three seasons at the helm.
Bluffton will look for scoring from junior speed merchant Nina McGinn (Marion/Harding) who is also a standout on the track. Also returning with experience up front are Zoe Ryan (Pleasantville/Lancaster), who has been a fixture in the starting lineup the past two seasons, and Taylor Dye (Big Prairie/West Holmes). Senior Julia Gibson (New Carlisle/Tecumseh) racked up four goals and four assists when the Beavers last played a full season in 2019. She was second on the team with 12 points as a sophomore.
A pair of juniors give Bluffton an experienced presence in the back row as Emma White (St. Marys/Memorial) and Katlin Sanning (Fairborn/Tecumseh) have logged significant minutes for the Beaver defense. Speedy Stacy Bienko (Perrysburg/Eastwood) is another junior with experience at multiple positions for the Beavers.
Although a pair of four-year keepers (Sienna Sullivan and Jules Frazier) capped off their careers in the spring, senior Ashton Curnutte (Urbana) gained valuable experience between the pipes with two starts last season, allowing 2.58 GPG with 11 saves in 200 minutes of work.
Bluffton kicks off its 2021 fall campaign with four straight home matches, including the opener against Oberlin on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The Beavers travel to rival Defiance for Heartland Conference opener on Wednesday, Sept. 29, kicking off four weeks of HCAC action. The regular season comes to a close on Oct. 27 when Manchester comes to town before the conference tournament takes center stage starting Saturday, Oct. 30.
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