BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – On Saturday night, Milligan University's men's soccer squad traveled to Barbourville, Ky., for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) match with the University of Union Commonwealth Bulldogs. After the Bulldogs struck twice in the first half, Milligan was unable to find an answer, as Union Commonwealth added three more tallies after the break to secure a 5-0 victory.
In the first half, Union Commonwealth created the early looks, testing Milligan keeper Sergi Cruz with a pair of shots on frame and sending a pair of headers just wide. Cruz held firm until the 31st minute, when Union Commonwealth broke through to take a 1-0 lead. The hosts added a second tally in the 40th minute. Milligan did not record a shot before the break and went into halftime trailing 2-0.
In the second half, Union Commonwealth extended its lead in the 52nd minute with a third goal, then made it 4-0 in the 54th minute, moments after a shot rang off the crossbar. Cole Stophel sent a shot wide right for Milligan, and Drew Shelton took a corner kick, but the Buffs struggled to find a way through. Union Commonwealth kept pressing with several more corner kicks. Drake Teague had a shot saved and Liam Lahsangah sent an attempt high for the Buffs. Down the stretch, the Bulldogs added a fifth goal in the 90th minute off an assist and captured a 5-0 victory.
In the end, Union Commonwealth held a 12-3 shot advantage and a 7-1 edge in shots on goal, while also owning a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. All three of Milligan's attempts came in the second half. Stophel, Teague and Lahsangah each had one shot, with Teague's the Buffs' lone attempt on goal.
Cruz played 76 minutes in goal and made two saves before Caleb Col closed out the final 14 minutes.
Next up, Milligan (9-4-3, 5-4-2 AAC) will return home for a non-conference match against the Carolina University Bruins on Wednesday, Oct. 28. First kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Anglin Soccer Field.
