By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - Despite going to extra time, the Bluffton University men’s soccer team came away with a big Heartland Conference victory on Wednesday, Oct. 15, improving to 2-2 in conference play. The winning goal came in the 99th minute, when junior Jake Headings (Cincinnati/McNicholas) received a perfect cross from senior Caleb Berlon (Kettering/Fairmont) and capitalized to seal the 2-1 victory. The Beavers are now 5-9 overall and 2-2 in the HCAC, while Manchester fell to 1-3 in the conference and 5-8 overall on the season.
The first half, despite the lack of goal scoring, was a very entertaining stanza of soccer with aggressive play and many shot opportunities. The Beavers finally broke the ice in the 75th minute when senior T.J. Kline (Mogadore/Lake Center Christian) buried his fourth of the season with an assist from freshman Kyle Johnson-Evers (Muskego, Wis./Muskego). The home team was on the verge of wrapping it up, but Manchester’s Austin Finley tied the match with just 1:13 remaining on the clock thanks to a beautiful corner kick by Julio Luevano.
The overtime period saw the momentum swing back to the Beavers as they outshot the visitors 4-2, including the game winner scored by Headings.
The shots column was led by Manchester, as the visitors finished with a 23-18 edge overall. Sophomore keeper Jeff Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Bethany Christian) snagged eight saves in the victory for Bluffton. Jordan Andrews (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) drove the Bluffton offense with five shots.
The Beavers will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 18, as they return to the comfy confines of the Sears Complex and attempt to go above .500 in HCAC play when they take on the Franklin College Grizzlies. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. following the 1 p.m. women’s match between the same two schools. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
