Men’s Soccer falls 2-1 in NAIA National Championship Game

WICHITA, Kan. (December 4, 2023) – The Milligan University men's soccer team scored first but fell 2-1 to MidAmerica Nazarene in the 2023 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship game at the Scheels Stryker Sports Complex on Monday afternoon.

The Buffs took a 1-0 lead in the game's 25 minute with Albert Montragull sending a long cross from the left sideline into the six-yard box. The cross was intended for Santiago Corral, who attacked the ball, but it was deflected by the MNU defender inside the right post to give Milligan a 1-0 lead.

Milligan nearly cashed in with another tally in the 36th minute as Boikaego Mbaakanyi hooked a cross into the penalty area from the left side and nearly connected with a charging Jett Carter but the Pioneers' keeper snatched the ball out of the air.

MNU tied the game late in the first half as a Pioneers dribbled up the left side, centered a pass and had a sliding finish into the opposite corner of the net to knot the game at one.

At the half, MNU held a 5-3 edge in shots and both teams recorded two shots on goal.

The Pioneers scored the eventual game-winner in the 64th minute as MNU worked up the left side again, crossed a ball from the end line into the six-yard box and had a point-blank attempt stuffed by Adria Alles but the rebound was tapped in to give MNU a 2-1 edge.

The Buffs had limited offensive opportunities the rest of the way as MNU controlled possession. Inaki Moreno sent a free kick into the 18-yard box in the 85th minute and Greg Anderson flicked a pass forward to Corral at the right post but his header went high.

Milligan earned a corner in the final 30 seconds but could not put a shot on target.

The Pioneers outshot Milligan 13-5 for the game and had a 5-2 edge in shots on goal.

Milligan finishes its season with a 19-3-4 record as the Buffs set program records for wins, goals (90), assists (81) and shutouts (15) in 2023. Milligan made its first-ever semifinal and title game appearances in any head-to-head team sport in their national tournament run.

MNU claims the NAIA national title with a 17-4-4 overall record.