Buffs start spring season with commanding win over Warren Wilson

SWANNANOA, N.C. (March 13, 2021) – Ashlen Burch earned a hat trick to help the Milligan University women's soccer team shut out Warren Wilson College 6-0 in the spring season opener for the Buffs.

The win brings the Buffs to an overall 7-5 record, continuing from the fall slate, 6-5 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. It also marked the first victory in as many games for first-year head coach Alyssa Whitehead.

"I am proud of the team's effort today against Warren Wilson," said Whitehead. "It was great to see the different aspects of training show up in the match. This game should bring confidence to the team as we begin to prepare for CIU at home. I'm excited to see how we continue to grow as a unit and individually this spring."

Milligan struck early, scoring two goals in the first five minutes of the game, one from Ellie Cachiaras and the other from Ella Sawa.

They would keep the 2-0 lead till the half, where they would once again come out swinging, netting four more goals. Audra Morgan would score one, and Burch earned the hat trick with three second-half goals for the Buffs.

Overall, the Buffs outshot the Owls 29-4, with goalkeepers Lauren Davies and Miriam Janoyan keeping a tight lock on the net for the shutout.

Up next, Milligan will host Columbia International University on March 20 at 3 p.m. for their next AAC showdown. This will be the last conference game before the AAC tournament, starting March 29.