BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team continued its dominance of Defiance College in the 2025 home opener on a beautiful Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. A pair of first-half goals and three more in the final stanza propelled the Beavers to a convincing 5-0 victory with fireworks blasting away in the background as Springfield Fireworks celebrated on Labor Day! Bluffton evened up its season mark at 1-1, while the Yellow Jackets dipped to 1-3 as the Beavers wrapped up a sixth straight shutout of their rivals from Defiance County.
Senior Kelsie Gladieux (Northwood/Lake) and sophomore Katie Singleton (Hamilton/Badin) both hit paydirt in the first half thanks to connecting passes from Mya Vernon (Toledo/Central Catholic) and Brysan Brewer (Middletown), making it 2-0 at the break.
Defiance threatened late in the opening stanza as Bluffton's ball movement waned, but the shorthanded Jackets were no match for the home team in period two. Vernon punched it in for a 3-0 spread at the 55:02 mark and Singleton's second goal of the match ended any hope of a Defiance comeback less than three minutes later. Kate Stephens (Trenton/Edgewood) served up goal number five as Coach Shutler delivered the victory popcorn and the rout was complete on a night that was tailor-made for soccer under the lights!
Sophomore Adeline Thorn (Smithville) and junior Morgan Jarvis (Powell/Dublin Scioto) both dished out a pair of assists in half two en route to a 5-0 workman-like effort on Labor Day.
Bluffton pelted the Jackets with a 33-3 edge in total shots, including 21-1 on frame. The Beavers forced 10 of the 11 corner kicks on Monday night and they were whistled for five more fouls (9-4).
Brewer and Reece Lawler (Vandalia/Butler) fired away with six and five shots, respectively. Singleton put all four of her attempts on frame with two finding a home in the back of the net.
Sophomore Sydney Sherick (Findlay/Van Buren) and freshman Madison Kutscher (Rossford) combined to pitch the sixth straight shutout of the Purple and Gold.
Bluffton will jump right back into action on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with a trip to Wooster. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
