Women’s Soccer drops double OT heartbreaker at Montreat

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (September 25, 2021) – The Milligan University women's soccer team scored in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime, but Montreat got the best of the Buffs with a goal in the final 10 seconds of double overtime to defeat Milligan 2-1 on Saturday.

Milligan falls to 3-4 on the year and 2-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. Montreat advances to 5-1, 4-1 AAC.

Through the games' first 30 minutes, neither team managed a shot on goal. In the 31st minute, Montreat struck first with a corner kick leading to a chaotic sequence where the Cavs' Jackie Montes fired in the game's first goal to lead 1-0.

Montreat carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime after recording the only shots on goal in the first half.

Alia Figueredo recorded the Buffs' first shot on goal in the 50th minute with a left-footed attempt from just inside the 18-yard box.

In the 74th minute, the Buffs gained possession with some momentum around midfield and quickly advanced toward the penalty area. Audra Morgan and Kori Barnhill had shots blocked by defenders before McKinna Murr sent a shot on frame, but it was denied by the Montreat goalkeeper.

A great chance at an equalizer for the Buffs came in the 79th minute when Ellie Cachiaras received a pass just outside the 18-yard box and quickly maneuvered around her defender into open space and blasted a shot that sailed just high of the crossbar.

Milligan goalkeeper Lauren Davies made a diving save on a shot in the 82nd minute to keep the Buffs' deficit at a single goal.

The Buffs found an equalizer with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. Cachiaras took the ball up the left sideline with pace and placed a cross into the penalty area to a writing Ashlen Burch. Burch collected the cross and volleyed a shot off the bounce past the leaping keeper for her second goal of the season.

With the game tied at one, the Buffs went into overtime for the first time in the 2021 season.

In the first overtime, Milligan thwarted a free kick just inside corner kick range from Montreat. Alex Thomas nearly ended the game with a free kick shot in the final seconds of the period, but her long-range attempt was barely deflected wide of the upper-right corner of the net.

The game looked like it was headed for a 1-1 draw through most of the second overtime. In the waning seconds, Montreat sent passes forward and pushed through a lead pass behind the Buffs' back line. Montreat's Kaitlyn Adams received the pass and fired a shot over the head of a charging Davies and gave the Cavaliers the win with six seconds remaining in double overtime.

Davies made five saves for the Buffs and Burch and Autumn Daniels led the way offensively with two shots apiece.

Women's soccer returns to Anglin Field Wednesday evening for an AAC matchup against Brenau.