MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2018) â€" Sam Dawson and Roberto Fernandez Garrido each netted a goal, but ultimately the Milligan College men's soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision Saturday night in double overtime to Columbia International University (11-6, 4-6 AAC) on Anglin Field in an Appalachian Athletic Conference match.

It was the regular season finale and senior night for the Buffaloes (7-7-2, 3-5-2 AAC), who will continue their season in the AAC Tournament. Seniors Luke Dove, Jonathan Russell, Nazren Habte, Tayzere Arnott, Jack Royston and Bradley Hammond were honored during the pregame.

GARRIDO PUTS BUFFS ON THE BOARD FIRST
It didn't take long for Milligan to jump on the board as Harry Griffin took a great touch in the seventh minute of the match off of a pass from Luis de la Torre, and crossed it into the box for Garrido, who netted his team leading 12th goal.

The assist was Griffin's ninth of the year, which is tops on the team. For de la Torre, the assist was his first of the season.

DAWSON PROVIDES THE EQUALIZER
After CIU responded with two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 advantage early in the second half, the Buffs would produce the equalizer in the 71st minute. After a foul by the Rams allowed for a Milligan free kick, Joel Dominguez found Sam Dawson in the box, who proceeded to head the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-2.

The goal was Dawson's first of the season, while Dominguez tallied his fifth assist on the year. Neither team was able to break the scoreless tie in the final 29 minutes of regulation, sending the match to overtime.

FINAL MINUTE OF DOUBLE OVERTIME PROVES KEY
After a scoreless first overtime period, the teams headed to a second that was filled with plenty of action. In the 104th minute, the Rams were able to draw a foul in the penalty box to set up a potential game winning goal.

Romulo Barreto took the penalty for CIU, but Milligan goal keeper Luke Dove made an incredible diving save lunging out to his left to keep the match alive.

The Rams would not give in though as they continued to press the Milligan defense and were able to finally break through in the 109th minute as Barreto sneaked one past Dove for the golden goal.

BY THE NUMBERS
For the match, Milligan was outshot 29-20, including 17-10 on shots on goal. Garrido attempted more than half of the Buffs attempts with 11 shots, seven of which were on target. Robell Habte, Russell and de la Torre each followed with two shots apiece.

Dove registered a career high 13 saves for the Buffs in the loss.

UP NEXT
Milligan qualified for the AAC Tournament with the win over Union Wednesday, and will next be in action Friday, Nov. 2.