BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Franklin College men's soccer team hit the road for the final time in the regular season on Wednesday (Oct. 20) afternoon for a matchup with the Bluffton Beavers with three critical points in the conference standings up for grabs.

The Grizzlies (5-8-1, 3-3-1 HCAC) fell into a two-goal hole in the first half, but the hosts couldn't fight off a Franklin comeback with the Grizzlies rattling off three straight to stun the Beavers (7-6, 3-4 HCAC) 3-2 for their second straight victory. 

How It Happened
Bluffton drew first blood in the ninth minute with a goal on the first shot on target in the match and added another tally in the 33rd minute to make it a two-goal game. But less than a minute after the second goal, Franklin got on the board when Angel Tapia stuck home a penalty kick, giving him his first goal of the year and sending Franklin into the break down by just one. 

The Grizzlies kept up their attack and drew even in the 54th minute when Dillon Neel found a loose ball and slammed it into the net for his sixth goal of the year. The game stayed tied until the 76th minute, when a long throw in from Jon Moore found Eddy Yousak in the box and Yousak slid a pass over to Thomas Samuel, who knocked the ball in to put Franklin ahead. 

With the Beavers pressing for the tying marker, Franklin goalkeeper Ian Rowe stood tall and stopped all three Bluffton shots over the final 10 minutes of play.

Inside the Box Score
-Samuel's goal was the first of his career and the first points in the career of the senior from Evansville.
-Yousak collected his fifth assist of the season on the winner, giving him the second most helpers on the team behind Tapia's seven.
-Rowe was perfect in almost 55 minutes of relief in goal, stopping eight shots on target. The Greenwood, Ind.-native has not allowed a goal in any of his last three appearances.
-Shots were 22-11 in Bluffton's favor, with Tapia's three attempts leading all FC players. 

Up Next
The Grizzlies return home for their final two regular season matches. The first comes on Saturday (Oct. 23) afternoon against Defiance as part of a double-header at Faught Stadium. Kick-off is set for approximately 3:30 p.m.