BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Milligan University men's soccer squad, on the road in Barbourville, Ky. for the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Final on Saturday evening, were trying to return to the top of the tournament pedestal after falling in the Semifinal Round in 2024. The host Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs, however, quelled the Buffaloes' hopes by scoring in the early stages of the second half to deal Milligan a 1-0 loss.

Milligan played a strong opening half, and held the shot advantage at 6-3. Neither side had many genuine opportunities in the period, as UCU was forced to stop just two of the six tries off the boots of Buffs attackers. Just one save was needed for the Buffs. 

The second half's early minutes were heavily controlled by the Bulldogs, as they came out with the necessary adjustments to put sustained pressure on the Milligan back line. After a pair of saves by Adria Alles on headers, UCU crossed a ball in that rolled into the box and was finished off in the 50th minute to give the hosts the lead. Several Milligan attempts in the late stages, including a header by Kerim Akpinar that missed just high and to the right of the woodwork, were not enough to break through, as the Buffaloes fell in the conference title match, 1-0.

At the contest's conclusion, the Buffaloes trailed 14-13 in shots taken, but had a 5-4 on-net advantage on the day. Akpinar and Marco Lattanzi each took two shots that were saved in the match, while Justin Madejski provided a header that counted as the other attempt on frame.

Alles played a good game in net, as the only goal he surrendered came off a rebound of a previous save that he made on a header. He stopped three of the four shots that he faced in the defeat.

The Buffaloes now will look forward to the NAIA Tournament Selection Show on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., when they will learn where they will be sent by the NAIA Selection Committee for the NAIA First and Second Rounds, which will take place Nov. 20-22.