By Cort Reynolds
The visiting Bluffton High School girls soccer team defeated Northwest Conference rival Delphos Jefferson handily 6-2 Tuesday evening, September 12.
The Pirate girls improved to 5-3-1 and 3-0 in the NWC with the win, to stay tied atop the league standings with Allen East (7-1, 3-0).
Delphos Jefferson drops to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the NWC after the loss.
Jefferson drew first blood on a goal by Kyah Kimmett in the 17th minute.
Bluffton was scoreless until the 28th minute when Audrey Snyder tied it 1-1 on an assist by Nora Matthews.
Four minutes later, Pirate Lily Dagani found the back of the net off a Mya McDougle assist to put Bluffton ahead for good.
The score remained 2-1 at halftime before the Pirates blew it open after intermission.
Ella Armstrong extended the lead to 3-1 on a feed by Blair Utendorf 12 minutes into the second half.
Jaicelyn Morris tallied to make it 4-1 on another Utendorf assist in the 62nd minute.
McDougle advanced the lead to four with a score off a good Armstrong ball. But seconds later DJ made it 5-2 on a goal by Aubrey Dudgeon.
Pirate sophomore Aubrey Burkholder then tallied the final goal in the 77th minute off a pass from Jordyn O’Connell to provide the 6-2 margin.
Bluffton directed 18 of its 25 shots on goal, while DJ put five of its seven shots on goal.
Pirate keeper Kynzie Ewing made three saves in goal, while DJ keeper Audrey Violet was credited with 12 stops.
The Pirate girls host struggling non-league rival Kenton (1-9) Saturday, Sept. 16 at 11:45 a.m.
