BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Earlham College men's soccer team hung on to edge Bluffton University 3-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opener on Saturday.

The Quakers opened the scoring in the ninth minute when sophomore Michael Black scored his first goal of the game. Seven minutes later, the Earlham offense struck against as freshman Joe Balls found the back of the net for his first career collegiate goal.

Trailing 2-0, the Beavers cut the deficit in half midway through the first half when Ezekiel Elliot broke through the Quaker defense to score his first goal of the year. Earlham had the response, however, as Balls found freshman Micah Roland for his second goal of the season in the 37th minute.

Bluffton battled back to within a goal once again when Davis scored his second goal of the game in the 51st minute. Leading by just a goal, the Quakers' defense stiffened and did not allow a shot in the final 35 minutes.

Earlham outshot Bluffton 21-5 in the contest including an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. Balls led the Quakers with six shots including four on goal. Davis fired all four shots on net for the Beavers.

The win marks Earlham's seventh consecutive win over Bluffton. The Beavers have yet to beat the Quakers in HCAC competition (dating back to 2010).

The Quakers are 5-4 on the season and will face defending HCAC champions Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. at Matlack Field.