DAYTON, Tenn. – On Wednesday afternoon, Milligan University's women's soccer team traveled to face the Bryan College Lions in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. After numerous chances fell short in their previous five contests, Kara McDaniel broke the ice for the Buffs in the 60th minute of the contest to score what proved to be the game-winning goal, giving MU their first AAC victory of the year over the Lions on the road.
In the opening half, the Buffs looked to get on the scoreboard immediately, as McDaniel forced a save from the Bryan goalkeeper just 14 seconds into the match. Lauren Hawkley and Halle Steele followed with shots that ended up on net in the 13th and 14th minutes to keep the Milligan offense going. The Buffs continued with that momentum, creating a plethora of chances, but still were yet to find the back of the net. Bryan looked to answer the offensive barrage in the 31st minute when a shot attempt forced a save from the Milligan keeper, Christain Davis. The first-half stats were heavily in favor of Milligan, as they accumulated 16 total shot attempts in the half, with nine of them ending up on target, while Bryan mustered up five shots, with two ending up on target.
The second half picked up right where the first left off, with Milligan creating another opportunity, as Natalie Roper forced a save less than a minute in, and Steele followed with a shot on target in the 48th minute before sending another just wide right. The pressure finally paid off in the 60th minute, as Sarah Buckner sent a perfect cross into the box that found the boot of Kara McDaniel, who sent a shot past the Lion keeper to lift the weight off the Buffs' shoulders. Following the goal, Hawkley looked to extend the Milligan lead in the 70th minute with a shot on target. Down the stretch, Bryan pushed for the equalizing goal, earning back-to-back corner kicks in the 85th and 86th minutes and put a shot on frame. However, despite the late push, Milligan was able to settle in on defense and close out the game with a 1-0 victory.
Milligan outshot Bryan 30-11 on the afternoon and held a 19-to-five advantage in shots on goal. Lauren Hawkley and Halle Steele each led the Buffs with six shots, with Hawkley putting four on target and Steele adding three. Natalie Roper put four of her five attempts on frame, while Kara McDaniel finished with four shots, two on goal, to go along with her goal. Sarah Buckner and Selma Salimi each put two shots on target, with Buckner attempting three and Salimi two, while Diane Maillis added two shots, one on frame. Raelyn Muniz's lone shot was also on target to round out the Buffs' offense.
Christain Davis saved all five shots that came her way to earn the clean sheet, and her record moves to 1-4-2 on the season.
With the seal broken, Milligan (1-4-2, 1-2-1 AAC) will return home for their next AAC contest against Columbia (S.C.) College on Saturday, Sept. 26. First kick for that match is set for 2 p.m. at Anglin Field.
