The Anderson University turned in a 1-1 draw with Bluffton University during Saturday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in Bluffton, Ohio.
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Battling for an HCAC Tournament berth, the Ravens (10-3-4, 4-2-3) needed a win to remain in the hunt. With Franklin College (7-11-1, 7-2) picking up a 1-0 win against Mount St. Joseph University (9-7-2, 5-3-1) on Saturday, a win would have given Anderson the fourth and final seed in the conference tournament.
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"It was a heartbreaker, as we knew what was on the line and just came up a goal short," Coach Jennifer Myhre said. "Overall we had a good run of the play; we just couldn't capitalize on our chances."
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Maddie Huffman put the Beavers (6-10-2, 3-4-2) on the board in the 60th minute after capitalizing on a pass from Lauryn Foster-Wheeler. Emily Buchman (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) delivered the equalizer for the Ravens in the 73rd minute with Taylor Baker (Springfield, Ohio/Central Catholic) on the assist. Anderson completed the season with a program record for fewest losses in the season. The Ravens also allowed just 11 goals on the season, which ranks second in school history.
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"Emily gave us new life with the goal, and then there just was not enough time. It's a hard way to end a fantastic season, as they wrapped up the year with the fewest losses ever for the program and second in goals against."
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Tori Baver (Garrett, Ind./Garrett) led the Ravens with seven shots. Morgan Reed (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) contributed six shots. Baker and Buchman turned in three shots apiece. Katie Essick (Harlem, Ga./Harlem), Hannah Planck (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) and Nicole Miller (Richland, Mich./Gull Lake) each tallied two shots. Sabrina Morrison (Bloomington, Ind./South), Emily Albert (New Albany, Ind./Christian Academy of Indiana), Emily Stout (Grand Rapids, Mich./The Potter's House) and Harper Manion (Lebanon, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick) each added shots.
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Buchman and Baver paced the Ravens with three shots on goal apiece. Baker and Miller both notched two shots on target. Essick, Morrison, Albert, Reed, Planck and Manion each registered shots on goal.
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D'Anjrea Allen (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) started the first 66 minutes, 53 seconds at goalkeeper and saved one of the two shots she faced. Elizabeth Graham (Riverside, Ohio/Carroll) relieved the final 43:07 at goalkeeper.
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The Ravens outshot the Beavers 29-11 and held a 16-2 advantage in shots on goal.
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Seniors Ali Zoller (Speedway, Ind./Speedway), Bailey Dornbusch (Troy, Ohio/Troy), Morrison, Hannah Keller (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mount Vernon), Buchman, Reed, Bailey Scahill (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian), Stout, Courtney Maher (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon), Betsy Balish (Fountaintown, Ind./Triton Central) and Allen each closed out their Anderson soccer careers and set several program records as a graduating class along the way.
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"This group truly embodied their theme of FAMILY and played with love for each other. The seniors are all amazing and each left an impact on the program. They set the example, led and loved well and can be proud of a great four years. They are the first class to have four winning seasons, are tied for the most conference wins over their career and each of their seasons make up the top four in fewest goals against. Beyond the field they will truly be missed for who they are and know that God has great plans for them as they SOAR into their next journey of life. It is an honor and blessing to have them as Ravens."
