By: Colton Steiner
Marietta, OH - The Bluffton Beavers men's soccer squad kicked off the 2025 campaign on the road as they went up against the Marietta Pioneers. Despite a fast start from the Beavers, they would hit a wall and couldn't stop the hosts as they would fall to the Pioneers 4-3. With the loss, Bluffton begins their season at an 0-1 mark while Marietta improves to 1-1 on the year.
The Beavers would strike first early on in the contest, as Alex Brown (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) would follow up a shot from Leonardo Campos (Santiago, Chile/Campbellsville University) that was blocked and sneak it past the Marietta goalkeeper, putting the visitors in the driver's seat with a 1-0 lead. Almost exactly 11 minutes later in the 22nd minute, Leonardo Campos would not be stopped again as he would find the back of the net off an assist from William Clark (Mount Blanchard/Riverdale), extending Bluffton's lead to 2-0. Marietta would then take advantage of a foul in the box in the 28th minute and score off a penalty kick, cutting the Beaver's lead to 2-1.
After going into the break with a 2-1 lead, the Pioneers would catch fire and score back-to-back goals in the 61st minute, taking a 3-2 lead with just 29 minutes to play. Marietta wouldn't be done and manged to sneak one into the Bluffton goal in the 75th minute, extending their lead to 4-2. With their backs against the wall, Alex Brown would hit a strike high into the right corner of the Pioneer net, pulling the Beavers within one goal. Despite the late goal from Bluffton, the deficit would be too much to handle as they fell on the road, 4-3.
While Bluffton was able to get hot early, they were outshot by Marietta 15-11, with seven of their 11 shots coming in the first half. They also only had five shots on goal to the Pioneerss 11. Leading the Beavers with two goals on the day was Alex Brown, with Leonardo Campos who tallied a goal and an assist in the outing. William Clark was able to secure his first assist of the year in the outing as well.
Bluffton will travel back home to face off against Great Lakes Christian in their home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers!
- BEAVERS -