ATHENS, Tenn. – The (RV) Milligan University men's soccer squad hit the road to Athens, Tenn. to play the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs on Wednesday. After an uneventful first 80 minutes, the final 10 minutes saw Milligan surrender the first goal, before tying the score a minute later. Heartbreakingly, a 90th minute goal from the hosts handed the Buffs their first loss of the campaign.
The first half of action included only three shots for the two sides combined, which all ended up off target. It is a trend that has consistently been followed in Milligan contests recently, as just one goal has been scored by either team across the three contests prior to Wednesday's against TWU.
More chances were afforded to the two squads in the second half, but still, only seven combined shots were taken. Five of those ended up on frame. The scoring began in the 81st minute, when the Bulldogs sent a pass through the back line of the Buffs and were able to convert to make it 1-0 with very little time remaining. However, MU was not out of it yet, as a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box was blocked down to the foot of
Luiz Pereira, who redirected it past the TWU keeper to tie the score at 1-1 in the 82nd minute. After a free kick was awarded to the hosts in the 89th minute, they were able to convert on a half volley shot from a header in the box to unknot the score and give them a 2-1 advantage. One more chance would come for the Buffs, but a blocked free kick from just outside the goal box doomed Milligan to a 2-1 loss.
The box score ended up showing a 6-4 shot edge for the Bulldogs, and they put four shots on target to Milligan's one, which they converted on. The four Buffaloes shots came from Pereira, who scored the lone tally, and
Marco Lattanzi,
Trotter Jones and
Grayson Hammond.
Sergi Cruz was tagged with his first career loss as a Buff, falling to 3-1-1 in five appearances. He stopped two of the four shots on goal that he faced.
The Buffs (4-1-1, 1-1-0 AAC) will return home for their first game on Anglin Field since they tied the then No. 2-ranked West Virginia Tech Golden Bears (0-0) on Aug. 28. Milligan's foe will be the Reinhardt University Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 19, with kick off set for 4:30 p.m.
