DC tops rival Bluffton, 2-1

BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Yellow Jackets traveled to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Bluffton for their second to last match of the year.  DC was able to edge out the Beavers for the 2-1 victory.

Defiance (9-9-0, 4-4-0 HCAC) was able to out shoot the Beavers (1-14-0, 1-7-0 HCAC) by a count of 17-9.

DC's Kevin Arriola (New Lebanon, Ohio / Dixie) and Ashten Forde (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid) were able to get things going early for the Yellow Jackets.  The duo put up two shots apiece within the first 20 plus minutes to the pressure on Bluffton early.

Arriola was able to find net on his third attempt in the 24th minute to put DC up 1-0.  With a ball that was knocked around in the box, Arriola was able to get a good shot on it and put it home for his team leading tenth goal of the season.

The score remained 1-0 until halftime as both teams' defenses held their opponent in-check.

Early in the second half, Bluffton was able to tie things up with a goal from Peter Carlson.

Bluffton tried to take the lead just 14 minutes later, when a shot was blocked by the DC defense.  The block led to a breakaway for the Jackets that proved to be a big one.  Drew Metz (Northwood, Ohio / Lake) was able to find an open Forde who let go with a shot in the box.  Forde was able to find goal and that would be the game winner for DC as it put them up 2-1 in the 61st minute.

Senior goalkeeper Sean Roberts (Canal Winchester, Ohio / Canal Winchester) was able to make five saves in the final 30 minutes to secure the win for the Yellow Jackets.

Defiance next takes on Hanover on Saturday for its final game of the season.  Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.