BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team bounced back from a tough loss at Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday night, scoring with just over five minutes to play for a 2-1 victory over Franklin College on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Bluffton upped its mark to 6-4-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the Heartland, while Franklin fell to 3-7-2 and 2-2 in league play.

Dany Escamilla put the Grizzlies on top in the 20th minute, but a Franklin hand ball in the box set up Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) for his team-best 7th goal of the season. The standout senior buried his 4th penalty kick of 2023 and the match was all knotted up at the break.

Bluffton had a handful of chances during the second 45, but it wasn't until JJ Meyer (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) made the Grizzlies look silly along the baseline at the 84:37 mark that the home team finally broke the tie!

Meyer and fellow junior Jackson Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale) powered the offense with five and three shots, respectively. Zimmerman chipped in with four attempts, while Leonardo Campos (Santiago, Chile/Campbellsville University) added three shots.

Junior Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) kept Bluffton in the match with eight saves for the victors.

Bluffton fired away with 21 shots, three more than the Grizzlies. The home team forced one more corner kick (6-5), while FC had one more foul (9-8).

The Beavers will continue their homestand with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Wednesday, Oct. 11, when Bluffton welcomes Earlham College for a night under the lights!

-BEAVERS-