MILLIGAN, Tenn.— The Montreat men's soccer team faced off against a Milligan University Buffaloes side that is receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll Saturday night. Despite a strong defensive effort in the first half, the Cavaliers couldn't overcome the Buffs as they fell by a 3-0 scoreline. With the defeat in Milligan, Tenn., the Cavs record moved to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).
 
Both teams spent the opening 10 minutes feeling each other out, but it was the hosts who eventually started to seize control of the run of play. Milligan registered the game's first shot 11 minutes in, and it forced Montreat goalkeeper Marius Braedstrup-Holm into action three times midway through the half; however, the Ballerup, Denmark native was quick to react each time, saving all three scoring chances.
 
Freshman Mark Bomfim recorded the Cavaliers' only shot on target in the 27^th minute, but a Milligan save rendered the match scoreless through 45 minutes of play.
 
The Buffaloes entered halftime with edges in shots (9-2) and shots on goal (3-1), while each team earned one corner kick prior to the intermission.
 
Milligan (3-2-3, 3-1-1 AAC) started the second half quickly, with players racing around to apply pressure on nearly every Montreat touch. That pressure paid off in the 53^rd minute.
 
Using a spell of possession that started with a turnover in Montreat's defensive third, the Buffaloes opened the scoring by slipping a shot past a lunging Braedstrup-Holm and the right post. The hosts then doubled their advantage just five minutes later by poking home a rolling cross in the middle of the box.
 
Milligan put the match out of reach by scoring its third and final goal of the night with 14:41 remaining. Off a cross from the left flank, the Buffaloes tucked a strike inside the left post to seize a 3-0 lead.
 
Jose Romero tallied Montreat's lone shot on target later in the second half, while Braedstrup-Holm made four of his eight saves over the final 15 minutes of action.
 
When the final whistle sounded, the hosts topped Montreat in shots (24-4), shots on goal (11-2) and corner kicks (5-3).
 
"We again were able to put together part of a performance," said head coach Michael Bruce. "A solid first half was followed by a disappointing second half. Hopefully we can improve for the tough run of games we have coming up."
 
The Montreat men's soccer team returns to Pulliam Stadium Wednesday night for a conference battle against Columbia International University. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.