BLUFFTON, OHIO – Senior forward Katelyn Barta (Griffith, Ind.) posted a pair of goals, while senior Emily Willmann (Montpelier, Ind.) and freshman Sydney Simms (South Whitley, Ind.) combined to shutout Bluffton University’s offense in a 5-0 Manchester University victory Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Barta, moving into a tie for first on the Spartans’ goal sheet by tallying her fifth and sixth scores, struck the eventual game-winner less than nine minutes into the opening stanza, opening a four-goal barrage for MU (6-7, 3-1 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference). A trio of midfielders, junior Bridgette Rowe (La Quinta, Calif.), sophomore Allison Moore (Richmond, Ind.), and freshman Jenny Pudlo (Crown Point, Ind.), added the remaining tallies.

Bluffton University, despite falling to 3-9-1 overall and 0-3-1 in the conference, put up a strong offensive attack of its own. The home side out-shot the Spartans 20-19 with Simms and Willmann combining for 11 saves to keep their 90-minute clean sheet.

Manchester University continues conference action Saturday, Oct. 18, hosting Rose-Hulman in a key mid-season contest. Kickoff on the Spartan Field pitch is 1:00 p.m.

NOTES: Rowe joined Barta at the front of the goal-scoring charts with her sixth score of the year, while Barta took the top spot in points (16) … Barta is the fifth Black and Gold player to notch a game-winning marker … Rowe and junior forward Brandy Crouse (Cleves, Ohio) are tied for the overall shots lead (32), while Rowe is first in shots on goal (19).

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