MILLIGAN, Tenn. (August 21, 2023) – The Milligan University men's soccer team begain its 2023 campaign with a 3-1 defeat against No. 24 Bethel (Tenn.) at Anglin Field on Monday evening.

The Wildcats move to 1-0 on the season while the Buffs fall to 0-1. The loss is Milligan's first regular season home defeat since the 2019 season.

The Wildcats began the scoring in the seventh minute with a Bethel player pouncing on a rebound after a free kick to score the game's first goal. The Buffs struck back quickly in the ninth minute as Elies Simo cashed in on a penalty kick after a foul inside the box. The teams were tied at one at the half with Bethel owning a 9-5 edge in shots.

Bethel scored twice in the second half to secure the win. The Wildcats took he lead on a header off a free kick in the 63rd minute and added an insurance goal on a counterattack in the 81st.

The game featured seven yellow cards and one red card as the Buffs were a man up for the final 17 minutes after a Wildcat was sent off.

Milligan had a couple of close calls as Inaki Moreno nearly connected with Asa Kai Blake and Jett Carter but the Buffs could not find a second tally.

Greg Anderson led the Buffs with three shots, two on goal. Bethel outshot the Buffs 20-11 (9-6 SOG).

The Buffs travel to (RV) Cumberland on Friday for a 5:00 p.m. (EST) match.