By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School girls soccer team scored early and made the lead stand up with a 2-0 shutout of visiting Northwest Conference rival Ada Tuesday evening at Steinmetz Field to stay atop the league standings.
The first-place Pirate girls improved to 8-4-1 overall and 5-0 in NWC play with the win.
Defending champion Bluffton clinched at least a tie for first place in the league with just one conference match remaining.
Second-place Allen East is 4-1 in league play, followed by Columbus Grove at 3-1. The Pirates already beat AE 3-2 on September 19.
Bluffton hosts rival Grove in their NWC finale October 3, and can capture the outright title again with a win or tie.