Buffs battle back from second half deficits to draw WVU Tech in opener

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (August 22, 2022) – The No. 20 Milligan University men's soccer team trailed twice in the second half of their season opener against West Virginia Tech, but found a pair of second half goals to earn a 2-2 draw on Monday evening. 

In a first half that featured few scoring opportunities, WVU Tech converted the lone goal in the 26th minute. A clear attempt out of the scoring box went directly to the Golden Bears' Miki Fujita, who tucked a shot inside the right post to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Late in the first half, Milligan built some momentum towards the final third, but some wet footing prevented the Buffs from firing a shot before the Golden Bears regained possession.

In the first half, WVU Tech owned a 5-2 edge in shots and had all three of the attempts on frame over the first 45 minutes.

In the opening minutes of the second half, the Buffs worked their way up the left sideline and Greg Anderson fired a left-angled shot from inside the penalty area that was saved. Soon after, WVU Tech fired an open look from beyond the 18-yard box that was thwarted by Milligan's goalkeeper Ludvig Wille.

Milligan's pressure created a transition opportunity with Luke Bennett finding Anderson, who sent a pass wide to Jett Carter along the end line. Carter's cross ended at the foot of Axel Jansson, whose close-range shot was rebuffed by an outstanding save. 

Albert Montragull made his way up the right sideline and sent a swooping pass into the box in the direction of Burgos. A defender headed the ball off the WVU Tech right post and Greg Anderson swooped in and found the equalizer in the 57th minute.

WVU Tech retook a 2-1 lead with a header off a corner kick in the 75th minute.

Less than five minutes later, Jett Carter tied the game after a leaping header on the left post by Asa Blake.

Soon after, a free kick rebound nearly resulted in Milligan's first lead of the game and a long-range look from Blake sailed just wide of the goal. Marius Grytdal had a look on a second ball after a free kick that rolled wide left of the frame. With seven minutes left, Montragull blasted a shot off the top right corner of the goal. With both squads mounting up the defensive pressure down the stretch, no one was able to pull ahead as the match ended with a 2-2 draw.

The Buffs came away with the advantage on corner kicks by a margin of two in the second half while outshooting WVU by a spread of 11-4. Milligan owned a 13-9 edge in shots, but WVU Tech had six shots on goal to the Buffs' four. The game featured 11 combined cards.

Milligan travels to No. 23 Georgia Gwinnett next Tuesday.