Men’s Soccer rallies to 3-1 win at St. Andrews

LAURINBURG, N.C. (October 19, 2022) – The Milligan University men's soccer team trailed early but scored the game's final three goals to win 3-1 at St. Andrews on Wednesday afternoon.

The Buffs pull into a tie in first place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings with Tennessee Wesleyan. Milligan moves to 7-2-4 on the year and 7-1-2 in league play with three games to go. St. Andrews falls to 7-4-3, 5-2-3 AAC. The Buffs' unbeaten streak extends to nine games with the result.

The Buffs peppered the St. Andrews goalkeeper in the game's opening minutes as Milligan recorded three shots on the goal in the opening six minutes. However it was the hosts who were the first team on the scoreboard as the Knights scored in the 17th minute to lead 1-0.

After the opening excitement, things settled in between the Buffs and Knights. A free kick by Luke Bennett late in the first half connected with a leaping Albert Montragull, but his header just cleared the crossbar.

With less then 30 seconds remaining in the half, Ethan Bishop launched a throw-in from the deep right corner. The ball was tipped but not collected by the St. Andrews goalkeeper and Asa Blake headed the ball in at the left post to tie the game 1-1.

Eight minutes into the second half Montragull got another solid look off a free kick by Inaki Moreno but his leaping volley trickled wide of the right post. The Buffs had recorded several second half corner kicks, free kicks and long throws over the first 30 minutes of the second half.

Greg Anderson gave Milligan its first lead of the day in the 76th minute. The Buffs worked in transition with Simen Haraldstad connecting with Bennett on a long grounded pass across midfield. Bennett advanced into the middle of the field and threated a through ball into penalty area to Anderson who tucked in his seventh goal of the year.

Bennett put the game out of reach in the 80th minute. Hayden Grubb sent a ball to the SAU back line where the Knights defender could not corral the ball with his first touch. Bennett booted the ball out of the air and his spiraling shot from 25 yards cleared the keeper and gave Milligan a 3-1 edge late.

The Buffs outshot St. Andrews 15-8 (10-3 SOG).

Milligan hosts Reinhardt on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.