COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Milligan University women's soccer team faced a massive road test on Saturday, as they trekked east to Columbia, S.C. for an Appalachian Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest with the Columbia International University Rams. With the two teams sitting right next to each other in the standings, it was an important 1-0 win that the Buffs were able to complete to jump in front of the Rams.

The Buffaloes now maintain an 7-3-2 overall mark, with a 6-2-1 record in AAC bouts.
 
In the match's very first minute, the Buffaloes earned a corner kick and brought multiple defenders forward into the box. The corner from Lauren Hawkley found Kara McDaniel at the near post, and she directed the ball past the keeper to give MU an early 1-0 edge. From that point forward in the half, Milligan led in the shot department against CIU, 10-7.
 
Period number two saw the Rams take an 8-5 shot advantage, but they still were unable to come up with a goal. Overall, the Buffaloes maintained an 11-7 shot-on-goal lead at the end of the match, with just the single goal being scored in the game's first minute.
 
In addition to taking the early corner that led to the lone tally of the battle, Hawkley also led the team with three shots on frame. Natalie Roper, Katelyn Penner and Bianca Vacirca all provided two, and McDaniel and Nikki Shirley sent the other two on net, with the former's attempt finding the twine.

Emily Robinson saved all six shots that she faced in the victory to preserve a shutout win over the Rams, moving to 7-3-2 on the year.
 
The next event on the schedule for Milligan is a trip out to Pikeville, Ky. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. to face the Bears of the University of Pikeville.