By: Colton Steiner 

BLUFFTON, Ohio The Bluffton University men hosted Hanover College as part of a HCAC Saturday afternoon soccer doubleheader. Bluffton fell behind early and it snowballed, as a five-goal second half from the visitors would lead to a 9-1 win for the Panthers at the Sears Complex. The Beavers fell to 4-7-1 and 2-2 in the HCAC, while Hanover improved to 9-2-2 with an unblemished 4-0 mark in conference play. 

Hanover got started right away, scoring back-to-back goals in the the first four minutes before Bluffton was able to get on the board with an unassisted goal from Jaden Ngufor (London, Ont. Canada/FC London) in the sixth minute to cut the deficit to 2-1. Ten minutes later, Hanover would strike with back-to-back goals within a minute of each other, taking a 4-1 lead just 17 minutes into the contest.

While the Beavers locked down the Panthers for the rest of the half. the visitors came out on fire in the second half, scoring just one minute in and then adding another goal in the 57th minute. Hanover added a goal in the 76th minute and finish with back-to-back goals in the the 82nd minute as they dealt Bluffton a 9-1 setback. 

The Beavers struggled to find any offense, getting outshot 29-12, with a dominating 16-4 edge in shots on frame. Pikcing up Bluffton's lone goal was Jaden Ngufor, with Alex Brown (Delaware/Buckeye Valley), Devin Homan (Dayton/Stebbins), and Collin Scheid (Lima/Shawnee) each getting a shot on goal. In the net for the Beavers was Zach Johnson (Middletown), who recorded six saves. 

Next up for Bluffton will be a night game on the road when the Beavers travel to Indiana to face off against the Anderson Ravens at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

-BEAVERS-