By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ The Bluffton High School boys soccer team scored nine first-half goals to crush Lima Central Catholic 9-0 in a weather-shortened Northwest Conference mismatch Tuesday evening, September 24, at Steinmetz Field.

Pirate Levi Antrim scored three goals and passed out two assists to lead the onslaught. Jackson Brauen netted two goals and dished out a pair of assists in the blowout win.

The match was called two minutes into the second half due to lightning.

The Pirate record improved to 6-6 overall and 3-0 in the NWC with the lopsided victory. 

Lima Central Catholic fell to 1-10 overall and 0-3 in NWC action after the defeat.

Ollie Combs scored the first goal in the third minute off an Antrim assist to start the assault. 

Antrim netted back-to-back goals in the fourth and 11th minutes to stretch the lead to 3-0. Chase Kelly and Ethan Blount assisted on the scores.

Brauen then tallied a goal from Antrim in the 16th minute. Antrim scored unassisted to earn a hat trick just two minutes later.

Calvin Derstine made it 6-0 off a Brauen pass in the 19th minute. Thirteen minutes later, Brauen fed Micah Lemley for the seventh goal.

Isaiah Kohli took a Ty Huffman ball and scored in the 35th minute to extend the margin to 8-0. 

Brauen then scored an unassisted goal in the 39th minute.

Bluffton led 9-0 at the half and the game was halted early in half two.

Bluffton fired 12 of its 21 shots at the Thunderbird keeper. LCC mustered two shots, only one of which was on goal.

Pirate keeper Emmitt Kidd made one save. The T-Bird keeper was credited with three stops.

The Pirate JV lost to the Arlington club team, 4-2. Wes Johnstone and Brahlen August netted the Bluffton goals.

Bluffton visits WBL foe Ottawa-Glandorf (5-6-1) Thursday, Sept. 26 in a non-league bout.

The first-place Pirates (3-0 NWC) continue their quest to repeat again as conference champions when they visit league rival Lincolnview (3-7-1, 1-1-1 NWC) Monday, Sept. 30.