No. 12 Men’s Soccer falls at unbeaten CIU 2-1

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 9, 2021) – The Milligan University men's soccer team was defeated by unbeaten CIU 2-1 on Saturday night.

The No. 12-ranked Buffs fall to 9-2 on the year and 5-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. CIU picks up its second ranked win of the season and rises to 11-0, 7-0 AAC.

The first scoring opportunity or either team came in the 10th minute when Luke Bennett intercepted a CIU pass in the midfield and advanced into the offensive third with pace and ripped a straight-on attempt from about 30 yards out, but it was deflected over the goal by the Rams' goalkeeper.

In the 17th minute, CIU fired a well-struck shot from inside the penalty area, but it was redirected away by Marius Grytdal.

The Rams struck first in the 28th minute as a nice give-and-go sequence in the offensive third resulted in a close-range attempt that was slotted into the lower right corner to give CIU a 1-0 lead.

In the 36th minute, Alexsander Krogh outworked a defender to win the ball deep in CIU territory and fired a left-angled shot from inside the penalty area, but his attempt went directly at the keeper. Two minutes later, Raphael Sefriou sent a beautiful cross directly in front of the goal mouth, but a defender redirected it at the last moment before a Buff could attempt to score a game-tying goal.

CIU maintained its 1-0 advantage into halftime. Through the game's first 45 minutes, Milligan held a 6-5 edge in shots (4-3 SOG).

Victor Castel had a close-range opportunity just above the CIU end line that sailed high in the 47th minute. Bennett had a transition opportunity in the 51st minute, but his chip shot was well contested and stopped by the Rams' keeper.

CIU extended its lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute with another moment of offensive excellence. The Rams put a grounded cross in front of the goal that was redirected away by Elies Simo. However, CIU quickly recovered the ball and fired a well-struck shot off the right post and into the goal.

With about 19 minutes to go, Odin Solheim volleyed a cross from close range to the right of the right post. In the 76th minute, Sondre Haaland's attempt from just beyond the six-yard box sailed high.

Solheim put the Buffs on the scoreboard in the 87th minute. He was on the receiving end of a long-range free kick from Bennett and fired a low shot into the goal for his second tally of the season.

Milligan seemingly had a fantastic opportunity in the final minute, but a cross from Charlie Betts was deemed to be out of bounds along the end line before it made its way in front of the net where several Buffs were waiting. The Rams were able to bleed out the final moments of regulation to secure the 2-1 victory.

Milligan held slight advantages in shots (15-14) and shots on goal (10-9) for the game.

Men's soccer returns to Anglin Field for an AAC matchup with Bryan on Wednesday evening.