MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2016) â€" A team effort led the Milligan College women's soccer team to an upset victory over Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Columbia College, 2-0, Saturday afternoon on Anglin Field.
 
The win was Milligan's second straight victory and improved the Buffaloes to 3-1 (1-0 AAC) while sending Columbia, which was picked preseason to finish second in the AAC coaches' poll and was receiving votes in the latest national poll, to 3-3 (0-1 AAC).
 
Freshman Dharma Fawbush (20th minute) and junior Sami Joy (25th minute) were the goal scorers for Milligan, although the game saw numerous key players on both ends of the pitch. Fawbush's goal, for instance, came after freshman Bekah Cundiff managed a shot from close range which was saved wide, and Cundiff's shot, for instance, came shortly after a 50-50 ball was won at midfield by senior Sidney Bailey.
 
Joy's goal was made possible by Keri Harrison's corner kick which she delivered on point to the awaiting head of Joy just outside of the six yard box.
 
In the midst of it all, Charlotte Stephens made nine saves, including a few acrobatic attempts that otherwise would have put Columbia on the board and in a few cases would have given Columbia the lead.
 
"It was a great team performance," Head Coach Lisa Buckley said. "Charlotte was outstanding and kept us in the game early on. Offensively we kept the ball well and got numbers forward."
 
Milligan outshot Columbia 25-19 although the Koalas had the advantage on shots on goal at 13-9. Milligan had the advantage in corner kick opportunities at 6-4.
 
Stephens made five of her nine saves in the first half, and two of those came before Milligan had taken the lead. In fact, the two saves came within minutes of one another, and both were required at close range. Once Milligan had taken the lead on Fawbush's second career goal, Stephens made another incredible save seconds later to keep the Buffs out front, and it would stay the way for the remainder of the match.
 
Stephens' final save came in the closing seconds and helped Milligan keep the shutout, their second of the season.
 
Milligan will continue its season on the road next week as the Buffs face King University on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Emory & Henry College on Sunday, Sept. 18. The Buffs will be back home on Wednesday, Sept. 21, for an AAC game against Union College.