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No. 1 Milligan Men's Soccer Stumbles to 3-3 Draw against WVU Tech

Ethan Hayes (right) scored the final equalizer on an assist from Kai Slinn (left) to give Milligan a 3-3 tie against the Golden Bears
Ethan Hayes (right) scored the final equalizer on an assist from Kai Slinn (left) to give Milligan a 3-3 tie against the Golden Bears
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September 5, 2024

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The No. 1-ranked Milligan University men's soccer team managed to salvage a draw in their Thursday matchup with the Golden Bears of West Virginia Tech, 3-3.

With the result, the Buffs move to 2-0-1 (W-L-T), while WVU Tech goes to 1-1-2.

In a surprising turn of events, the Buffaloes found themselves down by two goals after just 24:21. A Golden Bears tally in the sixth minute, along with a salvo in the 25th, out Milligan behind the eight ball in the early stages. However, Marco Lattanzi was able to convert on a header inside the six-yard box on a cross from James Bakou in the 34th minute to open the Buffs' scoring.

After trailing 2-1 at intermission, the Buffaloes spent much of the second half looking for an equalizer. They finally found it in the 73rd minute off the toe of Justin Madejski on a tussle for the ball in the goal box. Unai Cruz earned assist honors on the pinball play.

The game-tying tally would not hold, though, as WVU Tech scored off a free kick in the 85th minute to take the lead, yet again. But, Milligan was able to profit from an indirect free kick call from the referee in the 86th minute, as Kai Slinn quickly played the ball into the box for Ethan Hayes, who put the goal away to tie the score at 3-3.

That is how the match would end, as neither side could find a last-minute tally to take the victory home.

Over the course of the match, the Buffs took a total of 15 shots, with eight of them resulting in a shot on goal. Both Alex Panner and Madejski took three shots, with two each testing the Golden Bears goalkeeper. The latter of the two scored one of the three goals. Marco Lattanzi, a goal scorer, and Albert Montragull took two shots apiece and were able to send half of those on frame. Hayes and Cruz were responsible for the remaining two shots on net, with Hayes picking up the final goal of the tilt.

Ludvig Wille allowed three goals and made three saves in the match. With the draw, his record moves to 2-0-1 on the young season.

The Buffs now begin their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate, with a bout at Truett-McConnell University in Cleveland, Ga. on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.