MONTREAT, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2017) â€" After a slow start which saw the Milligan College women's soccer team fall behind by two goals, sophomore Alyson McMillan and freshman Poppy Smith helped fuel a second-half, match-tying rally, but the Buffs ultimately fell to Asbury University 4-2 Saturday night in Milligan's season opener. The match took place at Montreat College as part of Montreat's Labor Day Invitational tournament.
 
After falling behind 2-0 through the first 45 minutes, Milligan (0-1) looked to battle back early in the second half. McMillan got the Buffs on the board in the first 10 minutes of the second half with the fourth goal of her career. It cut the score in half and the Buffs managed to tie it later in the second half on a goal from Smith in her collegiate debut with roughly 15 minutes left.
 
Asbury had the final answer, though, scoring with roughly four minutes remaining to go ahead 3-2. The Eagles then made it 4-2 on a late goal with Milligan's numbers pushed forward.
 
"I thought we played well in spells," Head Coach Lisa Buckley said, "but we have to be a little more consistent and start games with more intensity."
 
Milligan will play again on Monday on the same pitch when the Buffs take on Bob Jones University on the final day of Montreat's Labor Day Invitational. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Buffs' first home match will be on Wednesday against Emory & Henry College at 7 p.m.