Historic season ends for No. 16 Men’s Soccer in NAIA Opening Round

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (November 18, 2021) – The Milligan University men's soccer team scored in the first five minutes of action but three second half goals powered William Penn to a 3-1 victory over the Buffs in the NAIA Opening Round in Fort Wayne on Thursday.

No. 16 Milligan concludes its historic season with a 15-3-1 record, the second-winningest season in program history. William Penn notched its fifth victory over a ranked opponent in 2021 and moved to 13-7 on the season.

Milligan struck in the game's third minute as Ethan Bishop flung a throw-in from the right sideline toward the six-yard box. Victor Castel leaped between two defenders and headed the ball into the right side of the net.

The Buffs nearly cashed in on another long-distance throw-in in the 19th minute. Bishop flung a ball toward to box from the right sideline where Charlie Betts headed the ball toward the far left, just beyond the reach of a charging Alexsander Krogh.

William Penn finally managed its first shot on frame in the 34th minute when the Statesmen's Kenedy Deviska freed himself up and fired a left-footed strike from about 25 yards out but was saved by Milligan's Jan Kuepper.

In the 36th, Odin Solheim thwarted a close-range chance for William Penn as Joseph Kitengie ran onto the ball off a deflection just beyond the six-yard box. After some evasive moves, Kitengie fired a shot that was blocked by Solheim.

Milligan carried its 1-0 advantage into the half. Both teams managed just a single shot on goal over the first 45 minutes.

William Penn blitzed the offensive third in the opening five minutes of the second half, winning multiple corner kicks and pressuring the Buffs in the penalty area. A long throw by the Statemen resulted in a well-struck shot toward the upper right corner of the net that was turned away by a diving effort by Kuepper in the 49th minute.

In the 58th, Kuepper made another critical save on a fast-moving attempt from the wide right side of the box to preserve the Buffs' 1-0 advantage.

William Penn equalized in the 62nd minute with a penalty kick following a chaotic sequence in the penalty area. A long throw-in for the Statesmen was headed at right post toward an open net at the left post. A Statesman redirected the ball toward the goal, where it bounced off the chest of Elies Simo on the goal line, but the ball still flew towards the goal. Simo reached up to redirect the ball with his arm, drawing a whistle, red card and penalty kick for William Penn. The Statesmen converted the PK to tie the game at one.

Three minutes later, William Penn took its first lead of the night as again a long-range throw-in was the catalyst. From the left sideline, the Statesmen flung a ball into the box where it was headed to the right post and buried to give William Penn a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute.

Milligan nearly tied the game in the 67th minute as a shot from Luke Bennett was sent over to Solheim around eight yards out from the right post, however his shot was denied at the last moment by the trailing leg of the William Penn keeper.

The Statesmen took a 3-1 lead in the 70th minute with another goal via a long throw-in. After the throw was headed twice in the box, a Stateman lined up powerful volley into the upper-left 90 to give William Penn a two-goal advantage with just over 20 minutes left in regulation.

Milligan could not muster a response playing with just 10 men and fell for just the third time this season, 3-1.

The Statesmen outshot the Buffs 13-6 and held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Milligan ends its season with program records, including most goals (76), most shutouts (11) and highest national ranking (No. 9).