BLUFFTON, Ohio — Transylvania University men's soccer opened HCAC play with a 4-1 road victory over Bluffton University on Saturday at the Sears Complex. The Pioneers scored three times in the second half to pull away and improve to 4-2-2 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play.
Bluffton opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Zachary Guevara found the back of the net at 4:04 off an assist from Nick Meyer. Transylvania answered just over six minutes later when pressure from the Pioneer attack resulted in an own goal at 10:13, leveling the match at 1-1.
The Pioneers controlled the attacking opportunities throughout the opening half, outshooting Bluffton 11-1 and putting eight shots on goal before carrying the 1-1 tie into halftime. Transylvania broke through quickly after the restart. Cole Varela scored at 49:10 off an assist from Stone Work to give the Pioneers a 2-1 advantage. The goal was Varela's third of the season.
Work helped create another goal in the 66th minute, finding Gus Dickman for his third goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-1. Work finished the afternoon with two assists while placing all five of his shots on goal. Stephen Bebe capped the scoring at the 80-minute mark, finding the back of the net off an assist from McKay Wheatley for his first goal of the season and the final 4-1 margin.
Transylvania finished with a 21-8 advantage in shots and put 15 attempts on goal. Dickman recorded three shots, all on target, while Varela put both of his attempts on goal. Bluffton goalkeeper Zach Johnson made 11 saves against the Pioneer attack. Ethan Drew played all 90 minutes in goal for Transylvania. Drew was credited with two saves, with the Pioneers also recording a team save late in the second half.
Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.
