ATHENS, Tenn. – Milligan University's women's soccer team played the final match of a three-game road stretch on Wednesday afternoon against the defending Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Champion (RV) Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs. Tennessee Wesleyan struck early and, despite scoring opportunities from Milligan, maintained its one-goal advantage throughout the match to secure a 1-0 victory.
In the eighth minute of the first half, Tennessee Wesleyan created the first scoring opportunity of the match and made it count, as their opening shot resulted in a goal. Two minutes later, Milligan responded with its first chance when
Halle Steele found space and put a shot on target. The Buffs then earned a corner kick from
Lauren Hawkley but were unable to capitalize on the ensuing opportunity.
Kara McDaniel recorded Milligan's second shot of the match in the 20th minute, testing the Bulldog goalkeeper with another effort on target. However, that would be the extent of the Buffs' offense in the opening half, as much of the period was a defensive battle between the two sides. Overall, the Bulldogs held a 6-2 advantage in total shots, but the teams were even in shots on goal, with two apiece.
In the second half, Milligan faced an uphill battle in its pursuit of the equalizer, as Tennessee Wesleyan controlled possession for much of the period. The Bulldogs looked to extend their lead early, recording a shot on goal in the 47th minute.
Grace Baldwin generated a chance to level the match in the 70th minute when she found space in the Tennessee Wesleyan half and fired a shot that sailed just over the net. Later in the half, the Buffs created their most dangerous opportunity of the match after forcing a turnover just outside the Bulldogs' penalty area. However, the chance was squandered when the cross failed to connect with a teammate in front of the goal. Down the stretch, Milligan's defense did well to withstand sustained Tennessee Wesleyan pressure, keeping the deficit at just one goal. In the end, the Bulldogs' eighth-minute strike proved to be the difference, as Tennessee Wesleyan secured a 1-0 victory on its home pitch.
Milligan was outshot 11-4 by Tennessee Wesleyan on the afternoon. The Buffs' two shots on target in the first half accounted for their only efforts on goal of the match, while the Bulldogs added two shots on target in the second half to finish with four.
Kara McDaniel and
Halle Steele each put their lone shot attempts on target, while
Grace Baldwin and
Raelyn Muniz rounded out the offense for the Buffs each with one shot, respectively.
Christain Davis saved three of the four shots that were sent her way and her record moves to 0-4-1 on the season.
Milligan (0-4-1, 0-2 AAC) will return home for the first time in more than two weeks on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Buffaloes will also host an AAC opponent at Anglin Field for the first time during the 2026 season as they welcome the Reinhardt University Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
