Men’s Soccer blitzes Montreat 7-2

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (October 14, 2023) – The Milligan University men's soccer team scored five second half goals to defeat Montreat 7-2 in North Carolina on Saturday.

The Buffs move to 11-2-2 on the season and 8-0-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. Milligan's unbeaten streak runs to 11-straight games and the Buffs remain undefeated on the road in eight outings (6-0-2). Montreat falls to 6-7-1, 5-4 AAC.

The Buffs established a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of action. Inaki Moreno served a free kick into the six-yard box where Asa Kai Blake headed the ball into the left post. A Montreat defender tried to clear the ball but his clearance attempt hit Greg Anderson and ricochet into the goal.

Blake nearly extended the Buffs' lead in the 22nd minute as he had a long-range attempt tipped into the right post and Hayden Grubb's follow-up missed wide left.

Moreno drew a penalty kick in the 30th minute but his attempt was saved by the Montreat keeper.

The Buffs took advantage of a Montreat miscue to take a 2-0 lead in the 38th minute. Albert Montragull sent a ball from Milligan's defensive third beyond the Cavs' back line. Montreat's goalkeeper attempted to play the ball outside of the penalty area and Jett Carter touched the ball around him. A Cavs defender gained possession and tried to pass the ball to a teammate but Santiago Corral intercepted the pass and fired in his 10th goal of the year.

Montreat narrowed the margin to 2-1 in the 39th minute as a header hit the crossbar but the Cavs' follow-up found the back of the net. The Buffs outshot Montreat 17-5 in the first half.

Milligan found an early goal in the second half with Blake cashing in with his eight goal of the season. Boikaego Mbaakanyi found Moreno with a through ball to the right endline and Moreno sent a cross in front of the goal and Blake tapped it into the left corner to give the Buffs a 3-1 edge in the 53rd minute.

The Buffs had a slew of close calls trying to extend their lead. Mbaakanyi had a one-on-one chance roll just wide right in the 58th, Blake had a close-range attempt at the left post deflected in the 60th and Simen Haraldstad's header was saved off the line in the 61st.

Blake broke through for his second goal in the 69th minute. Elies Simo sent a clear beyond Montreat's defensive line to Mbaakanyi, who centered a pass past Montreat's diving keeper to Blake for a tap-in goal to extend Milligan's advantage to 4-1.

Montreat responded just over a minute later. The Cavs took advantage of a turnover in Milligan's defensive third and blasted a shot into the top-right corner of the net to make it a 4-2 game with just over 20 minutes left in regulation.

Ethan Bishop checked into the game in the 74th minute and immediately recorded an assist on Corral's second goal. Bishop ran onto a lead pass by Moreno into the left side of the 18-yard box. He stopped the ball right in front of the end line and centered a left-footed cross that Corral volleyed in to bring Milligan's lead to 5-2.

Moreno scored in the 78th as he ran onto a long ball by Simo and beat the goalie for his 10th tally of the year.

Corral completed a hat trick in the 87th minute. Simo intercepted a pass in Montreat territory, forwarded a ball to Moreno, who centered a pass to Corral who blasted a shot off the Cavs keeper and trickled into the goal to bring the score to its final margin (7-2).

Corral finished with three goals, Blake scored twice and Moreno and Anderson each notched one tally. Moreno and Simo both finished with three assists. Mbaakanyi had two helpers while Haraldstad and Bishop each had one assist.

The Buffs outshot Montreat 34-7 (18-5 SOG) for the game. Adria Alles picked up the win in goal after making three saves.

The Buffs host No. 25 Tennessee Wesleyan next Saturday.