Men’s Soccer defeats Point 4-2 for first AAC win

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (September 17, 2022) – The Milligan University soccer team took down the defending Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament champions, Point University, 4-2 at Anglin Field on Saturday night.

Men’s Soccer defeats Point 4-2 for first AAC win
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September 17, 2022

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (September 17, 2022) – The Milligan University soccer team took down the defending Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament champions, Point University, 4-2 at Anglin Field on Saturday night.

The victory was Milligan's first under head coach Joe Barber and the (RV) Buffs move to 1-2-3 on the year and 1-1-1 in AAC play. Point remains winless at 0-6-1, 0-3 AAC.

Seeking its first win of the season, Milligan began the their first home game in three weeks with great energy. The Buffs earned three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes, the last of which was delivered by Luke Bennett to a leaping Elies Simo for the Spaniard's first goal of the season. It was also the Buffs' earliest tally of the 2022 campaign.

The Buffs had several additional close calls but were unable to add on their lead in the following minutes.

Point struck back in the 33rd frame when a free kick from just inside midfield scooted to the right post where a Skyhawk buried a shot to tie the game at one.

Less than two minutes later, Ethan Hayes cashed in on his first goal as a Buff. Ethan Bishop booted a ball forward to Hayes who made a move on the ball and blasted a shot into the net to give Milligan a 2-1 lead.

Milligan started the first half on the front foot as the Buffs recorded a pair of early corners and Asa Blake and Greg Anderson had near misses in the first 10 minutes of the period.

The Buffs finally broke through to take a 3-1 lead in the 66th minute as Bennett, Blake and Anderson shared the ball back and forth in the final third, with Bennett tucking a shot inside the left post for his second goal of the season.

In the 71st minute, Edward Burgos stole possession in the Point defensive third and lined up a shot, it was saved off the back line but Anderson pounced on the loose ball to give Milligan a 4-1 lead.

Point narrowed the margin to 4-2 with a free kick goal into the bottom left corner with just under 10 minutes left in regulation. The Buffs staved off the Skyhawks for the final minutes and emerged with a two-goal victory.

Milligan outshot Point 15-11 (9-6 SOG) and owned an 11-7 advantage in corner kicks.

Milligan hosts Kentucky Christian on Wednesday night.