BLUFFTON, Ohio -  The Spartans men's soccer team traveled to take on HCAC foe Bluffton University yesterday afternoon to wrap up the 2022 regular season. HCAC tournament implications made the match an important one for both sides. Bluffton in the end prevailed over the Spartans winning 3-1. 

Manchester struck first in the match, scoring a first half goal in the 29th minute. Julian Keough (Indianapolis, Ind., Pike) finished a ball from fellow captain Elliott Mozingo (Fishers, Ind., Fishers) to pull ahead to a 0-1 lead. The momentum stayed in the Spartans favor as they went into the half leading the Beavers.

The home side was not going to fold easily as the Beavers knotted it up early in the second half notching a goal in the 48th minute. Bluffton would take advantage of the momentum shift and add another goal in the 62nd minute to take a 2-1 lead. The final nail in the coffin came in the 81st minute as Bluffton sealed the Spartans hopes of tying the match by adding one more goal to make it 3-1. Manchester was unable to answer, and the match ended with a 3-1 scoreline.

Bluffton outshot Manchester 15-5 on the afternoon. The Spartans played a scrappy match as 3 Spartans were booked with yellow cards on the afternoon. The loss slides Manchester down the table to fourth place. The Spartans however have clinched a spot in the HCAC Tournament.

The Black & Gold await their opponent as a slew of HCAC matches are scheduled for this evening. The opponent will be announced following the conclusion of the conference matches. The match will be held on Saturday October 29th with the location and time to be determined.