Buffs Women's Soccer Notches Home Tie against WVU Tech

Lauren Hawkley converted the opening goal of the season for the Buffs, cutting the two-goal WVU Tech lead in half in the 26th minute
Lauren Hawkley converted the opening goal of the season for the Buffs, cutting the two-goal WVU Tech lead in half in the 26th minute
September 7, 2024

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Milligan University women's soccer team rallied to grab a draw against the WVU Tech Golden Bears, 2-2, on Saturday afternoon.  

The Buffs now sit at 0-3-1 on the year, while West Virginia Tech earned their first tie of the season and move to 1-1-1.

The early going was unkind to the Buffs, as they allowed the game's first goal on a laser from outside the box by the Golden Bears in just the 2nd minute of play. Not five minutes later, WVU Tech scored again on another shot from the middle of the attacking third in the 6th minute, just inside the box.

After falling down 2-0 with 83 minutes and change left to be played, Milligan fought back with a top-tier shot from range by Lauren Hawkley off an assist from Mariah Shull in the 26th minute of the tilt. Then, after cutting the lead in half, the Buffaloes benefitted from the WVU Tech goalie's misplay of a cross by Alara Tyrer into the goal box. The ball caromed straight to Nikki Shirley, who rolled it past a diving Golden Bears' keeper to knot the score at 2-2.

From that point on, the sides were scoreless, though Milligan was in charge of the possession battle for much of the bout. Overall, Milligan held a 16-11 shot advantage, but both sides had six shots on net in the contest.

Hawkley looked to be the catalyst for the Buffs throughout, as she took a team-high total of five shots, with three of them challenging the goalie. She was responsible for the opening Milligan tally. Shirley had two shots, with her lone shot on frame resulting in a goal. Halle Steele had three shots, and forced a save on one of the three. Natalie Roper also was in good form, taking two shots and testing the keeper on one.

Akyla Walcott, after a tough start to the match, settled in and stopped the final four shots that she faced in the battle to turn in a .667 save percentage.

Another tough test sits ahead for Milligan, as they open Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play with a matchup against No. 14-ranked Truett-McConnell University in Cleveland, Ga. at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. It will be the third NAIA top-25 opponent that the Buffs have faced in their first five games.