BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's soccer team delighted the home crowd on Sunday, Oct. 19, pitching a 1-0 shutout of Franklin College. Pouring rain and ferocious winds could not deter the players or the fans as Bluffton improved to 6-9 and 1-5 in the Heartland Conference. Franklin slipped to 2-11-1 and 1-5 in the HCAC. Prior to the match, the Bluffton women honored Abbie Peters (Marion/Harding), Marissa Blake (Hilliard/Darby) and Kelsie Gladieux (Northwood/Lake) as part of the Senior Day festivities.
Franklin had opportunities in the opening stanza, finishing with a 7-2 advantage in shots, but the Grizzlies were unable to capitalize as the score remained deadlocked at 0-0 heading to the break.
It took less than three minutes for Bluffton to break the scoreless tie in the second half. Sophomore Brysan Brewer (Middletown) sent her free kick into the box and senior Mya Vernon (Toledo/Central Catholic) headed it home for the lone goal in Bluffton's 1-0 shutout.
The Grizzlies finished with a 19-8 advantage in total shots, including 9-3 on frame. Franklin was whistled for one more foul (6-5) and it forced three more corner kicks (8-5).
Vernon and Brewer fired three and two shots, respectively. Freshman keeper Madison Kutscher (Rossford) was outstanding between the pipes, turning away nine Franklin shot attempts!
Bluffton is back at the Sears Complex for its fourth straight home match on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when Manchester University comes to town. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
