By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School boys soccer team lost a 3-2 overtime nailbiter to visiting Old Fort in Div. III sectional semifinal action Wednesday evening, Octoberr 18, at Steinmetz Field.
The sixth-seeded Pirates end their season 5-11-2 after the difficult defeat.
OF improves to 8-7-3 with the win, and advances to the sectional finals. The eighth seed Stockaders now visit third-seeded Van Buren (10-6) Saturday, Oct. 21 at noon for the right to advance to districts.
Pirate Northwest Conference Player of the Year Theo Andreas drew first blood when he found the back of the net in the eighth minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 to intermission and beyond. OF eventually tied it in the 51st minute on a goal by Andrew Tackett.
Stockader Quinn Barr then put the visitors ahead 2-1 three minutes later on another goal.
Pirate Ethan Blount tied it up 2-2 and forced overtime by tallying a goal in the 61st minute.
But almost nine minutes into overtime, OF pulled off the dramatic win on a goal by Isiah Perez.
Bluffton put 14 of its 26 shots on goal. OF directed six of its 17 shots on target.
Pirate keeper Truett Diller came up with three saves. Stockader goalie Brock Miller stopped a dozen Pirate shots.
