BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's soccer team scored three goals early in the second half, but Hanover roared back with four of its own for a stunning 4-3 victory over the Beavers on a cold and rainy Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Hanover improved to 6-7-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the Heartland Conference, while Bluffton slipped to 7-5-1 and 3-2-1 in the HCAC.
A scoreless first half was no indication of what awaited during the final 45 minutes. Junior Jackson Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale) broke the ice with his 6th tally of the season in minute 57. Less than 60 seconds later, JJ Meyer (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) made it 2-0 and freshman Collin Scheid (Lima/Shawnee) pushed the spread to three goals in minute 60!
The visitors answered back with a Jose Perez score at the 61:24 mark and 10 minutes later he found the back of the net for his second goal of the match. Clayton Anderson netted the equalizer a minute later and Ethan Nazor capped the unlikely comeback with less than four minutes to play as Hanover claimed a 4-3 victory, spoiling Bluffton's Senior Day at the Sears Complex.
Senior Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold) put all three of his shots on frame. Junior Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) turned away 13 Panther shot attempts.
Hanover kept the pressure on with 10 corner kicks, eight more than the home team. The Panthers also finished with a decided 22-12 advantage in total shots, including 17-8 on frame.
The Bluffton men are back at the Sears Complex for their fourth straight match on Wednesday, Oct. 18, when long-time rival Defiance College makes the 50-mile trip. Kick-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
