FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College men's soccer team was back in action at home on Wednesday (Mar. 24) night, taking on the Bluffton Beavers under the lights at Faught Stadium.

In what proved to be a physical and wide-open match, the Grizzlies (1-5-1) and Beavers (1-4-2) needed extra time after late second half goals from each side. Despite some golden scoring chances in overtime, the two sides would ultimately settle for a 1-1 draw. 

How it Happened
Neither side would find the net in the opening 45 minutes with the two teams combining for 14 shot attempts and six shots on target. Franklin's Elliott Clark turned away four long-distance attempts from the Beavers before the two sides broke for halftime.

The second half saw the intensity increase with Franklin turning up the heat on the attack and a combined eight cards issued. With both sides down to 10 players, the Grizzlies broke the scoreless draw in the 78th minute when Dany Escamilla let a right-footed rocket go from 25 yards out that hit the top right corner.

But the lead wouldn't hold as Bluffton got the equalizer in the 84th minute and forced extra time. The best scoring chance for either side in overtime came in the 102nd minute off a Jacob Thompson header that beat Bluffton keeper Tanner Newport but was cleared out by a perfectly placed Beaver defender before it crossed the goal line.

Inside the Box Score
-Freshman Roth Kessler assisted on Escamilla's goal, recording his first point in the blue and gold.
-Escamilla now has goals and points in back-to-back games and leads the Grizzlies with three goals this spring.
-Reigning HCAC Defensive Player of the Week Clark was sharp in net, turning back eight Bluffton shots to give him three outings with at least five saves this season.
-Franklin set a season-high with 21 shot attempts, led by a career-high six from Trevor Bray. Thompson was a threat to score all night long, leading the Grizzlies with three shots on target. 

Up Next
Franklin plays their final home match of the spring season on Saturday (Mar. 27) afternoon, taking on the Anderson Ravens at 3:30 p.m.