Women’s soccer set to start 2020 season

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Sept. 11, 2020) – With 11 or more wins in each of the last three seasons, the Milligan University women's soccer team looks to continue its recent success with the start of the 2020 season fast approaching. It will be a slightly shorter season than usual, but Head Coach Lisa Buckley says the team is excited by challenges, not intimidated by them.

"I feel like we have prepared as much as we can given the circumstances," she says. "Obviously we would have loved to play some competitive games before we jump into (Appalachian Athletic Conference) play, but everyone is in the same boat so it doesn't put us at a competitive disadvantage. If anything, it could give us the opportunity to truly peak at the right time."

The Buffs have 13 matches on the regular-season schedule, starting with a trip to Bryan on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and culminating with the home finale against Columbia International on Saturday, Nov. 7. Along the way, the Buffs host six matches on Anglin Field, including two in September and three in October. Per statement from the AAC office in August, all teams will play a conference-only schedule.

"The conference will be stronger this year than last as a lot of teams look like they have recruited very well," Buckley says. "We want to be able to build upon the success of last year's team and believe we are good enough to be in the conference finals. I'm excited to see how it all pans out."

On the roster

Buckley will have a strong core of upperclassmen to compliment a strong recruiting class that she says has a few players who could make an impact right away.

Returning to the roster from last year are All-AAC honorees Ashlen Burch (first team) and Isabella Cranford (second team). Burch led the team with eight assists and scored the third-most number of goals with five. Cranford anchored the defense while scoring one goal of her own.

Sophomore Audra Morgan, the team's second-leading goal scorer last season (six goals), returns as an offensive threat with flexibility to play forward or midfield. The Buffs then have three others returning who found the back of the net at least three times.

On the defensive side, the Buffs also return sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Davies, who tallied 56 saves and a 1.89 goal against average in 2019.

Buckley notes a few Buffs who have looked good this preseason.

"I've been impressed with our senior class especially," she says. "I think COVID has really taught them to make the most of this opportunity to play. Ellie Cachiaras has worked hard to take on what is asked of her and lead the offensive side of our game. Alex Thomas and Kasey Moore are looking strong in the midfield, connecting well and working hard on both sides of the ball. Bella Cranford continues to be a rock in the back and has become a player who makes her teammates better defensively."

Buckley also mentions sophomore Gracie Duncan, a midfielder from Johnson City, Tennessee, who should make an immediate impact, and freshmen Ella Sawa and Maddie Williams, who could push for playing time. Sawa is a midfielder from Waxhaw, North Carolina; Williams is a goalkeeper from Lenoir City, Tennessee.

Last Season's Profile

Record: 10-5-1
AAC Record: 9-2-1
Longest Winning Streak: 7 (Sept. 28 – Nov. 5)
AAC Tournament Result: Advanced to AAC Semifinals
Scoring Leader: 18 goals from Bekah Cundiff (graduated)
Assists Leader: 8 from Ashlen Burch (returning)
Saves Leader: 56 from Lauren Davies (returning)