Women’s Soccer wins at Johnson 3-2

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (September 30, 2023) – The Milligan University women's soccer team picked up a 3-2 road conference victory at Johnson on Saturday afternoon.

The Buffs are over .500 for the first time this season as Milligan rises to 5-4-1 and 3-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. Johnson falls to 3-2-2, 2-2-1 AAC.

The Buffs struck first with a counterattack goal in the game's 11th minute. After a corner kick from Johnson, the Buffs quickly found Natalie Roper, who brought possession past midfield up the left sideline and centered the ball to Angeleena Waaland. Waaland made several moves in traffic, entered the 18-yard box and fired a shot inside the left post to give the Buffs a 1-0 lead.

The Buffs managed just one more shot on frame for the rest of half with Lauren Hawkley getting an attempt on goal in the 43rd mind. Johnson tied the game at one in the 44th minute as a Royals forward split a pair of Milligan defenders inside the penalty area and scored.

The Buffs took a 2-1 lead in the second half off another end-to-end goal. A punt from Akyla Walcott found its way to Waaland approaching the 18-yard box. She dribbled in and blasted a close-range attempt that was turned away but Roper slipped between two Johnson players to get the loose ball and poke in a go-ahead score in the 63rd minute.

Milligan added an insurance goal in the 74th minute on a penalty shot. Waaland sent a looping cross into the 18-yard box from the right sideline and a Royals defender was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Roper stepped to the penalty spot and tallied her 10th goal of the season.

The Royals did not go away as the hosts brought the margin back to a single goal in the 81st minute with a long-range goal into the top-right corner. The Buffs controlled possession for much of the final five minutes of regulation to hold on for the 3-2 victory.

Milligan outshot Johnson 16-8 and had a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.

Milligan hosts St. Andrews on Monday at 3:00 p.m.