No. 4-Seeded Buffs Women's Soccer Outlasts Fifth-Seeded Johnson in AAC Quarterfinal

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The No. 4 seed Milligan University women's soccer team hosted the No. 5 seed Johnson University Royals to kick off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship play in the Quarterfinal round. The Buffs were able to win a hard-fought battle and punch their ticket to the AAC Semifinal round by a score of 1-0. 

The match started evenly, with both sides earning chances at a nearly even split. The Buffs did take the advantage in shots into the half, leading 7-6 and forcing the keeper into two saves. Akyla Walcott was also forced into two saves in the first half for the Buffaloes. 

Milligan was looking to make a statement early in the second half with multiple early efforts coming on the Royals goal mouth. The Buffs were finally able to break through in the 56th minute, as on a great set piece from Natalie Roper, Amber McCleskey found the back of the net.

It ended up that Johnson held a 17-16 shot advantage at the match's conclusion, as the two teams did play an even game throughout. Both squads also had eight of those attempts end up on net, but the Buffaloes were lucky enough to have the best chance of them all. Halle Steele, Kara McDaniel and Lauren Hawkley combined to take seven of the eight shots on net in the contest.

Akyla Walcott was key in the shutout for the Buffs as they were outshot 11-9 in the second half making six big saves, one of which was a fingtertip save which forced the ball onto the crossbar. 

The Buffs are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The squad will match up with the No. 1 seed Truett McConnell Bears in Cleveland, Ga. at a time yet to be decided.