By: Colton Steiner
BLUFFTON, Ohio – After missing the HCAC tournament a year ago, the Bluffton University women's soccer team has its sights set on changing that for the 2025 season. Finishing the 2024 campaign with a 5-9-3 overall record and a 2-6-1 mark in conference competition, the women are bringing back many key components of their team.
Going into his fourth season at the helm, veteran Head Coach Zach Hammon enters with the 2nd highest winning percentage in program history and he is looking for his 2nd HCAC tournament berth after making the tournament in his first season at the helm. With Bluffton's improvement from the 2023 season to the 2024 season, eyes will be on the offense to break free and create more scoring opportunities in 2025.
The senior class will be led by Kelsie Gladieux (Northwood/Lake), who started 14 times for the Beavers last season, picking up an assist while notching a 40.0 percent shot on goal percentage. With it being her last campaign, the midfielder will look to return to her freshman form when she recorded 10 points that included five goals and a 68.8 shot on goal percentage.
Sophomore midfielder Reece Lawler (Vandalia/Butler) returns after finishing the 2024 season with three assists and a goal while forging a 61.9 shot on goal percentage. She started seven times and played in all 17 matches last season. Joining her is fellow sophomore Brysan Brewer (Middletown) who recorded two goals in 16 games. Katie Singleton (Hamilton/Badin) and Parker Penhorwood (Bellefontaine) are both back in 2025, with Singleton tallying five points and Penhorwood recording two points as freshmen.
Returning for her junior campaign is Mya Vernon (Toledo/Central Catholic), who is coming off a season where she started 16-of-17 matches and recorded five total points that consisted of two goals and an assist. Junior forward Abbie Peters (Marion/Harding) is also looking to make a big impact after five appearances in 2024. Joining them is classmate Morgan Jarvis (Powell/Dublin Scioto) who is coming off a season where she scored twice and had a shot on goal mark of 57.1 percent.
The stout Beaver defense was a key aspect of the Bluffton game last season as they notched four shutouts and allowed 11 fewer goals in 2024 than in 2023. While they are without the services of four-year starting goalkeeper Brielle Collier and her 116 saves following graduation, the Beavers bring back several key pieces to their defense. Junior Jenn Specht (Fairfield) returns to the backfield, along with sophomore Brooklyn Pfeiffer (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) and they both played in all 17 contests last season.
Bluffton will face off in an exhibition against Owens Community College on their home grass Friday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. before the season opener on Friday, Aug. 29, when the women travel to Albion for a night contest at 6 p.m. The Beavers will then return home to play long-time rival Defiance College on Monday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. in their 2025 Alumni Field opener. HCAC action starts for the Beavers when they go head-to-head with the Transylvania University Pioneers for a women's and men's doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 27. The women will close out the regular season with a road matchup at the Mount St. Joseph Lions, slated for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
-BEAVERS-