BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team concluded its 3-match home slate on Saturday with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) rivalry matchup against the Milligan University Buffaloes. Trying to hand the visitors their first conference loss of the season, the Cavaliers couldn't keep pace with the Buffs' high-powered offense, falling by a 7-2 scoreline and dropping to 6-7-1 (5-4-0 AAC) on the year.
 
Milligan (11-2-2, 8-0-2 AAC) controlled possession in the first half, and it led to a plethora of chances, including the match's opening tally. Just 9:35 into the frame, a Cav defensive clearance deflected off the face of a Milligan attacker and found its way across the goal line, handing the visitors a 1-0 lead in the process.
 
Additional pressure from the Buffaloes hemmed Montreat back in its own half. The Buffs hit each post and the crossbar midway through the period, and Frankie Zavala made a stellar diving stop on a penalty kick as the away team nearly expanded its lead. Eventually, in the 38^th minute, Milligan found its second goal and a 2-0 edge following a giveaway in the attacking third.
 
Only 56 seconds after the Buffaloes doubled their lead, Montreat managed to halve its deficit. Ethan Grasso sent a header off the crossbar, and Zeljko Stanojevic pounced on the rebound for his ninth goal of the year, trimming the hosts' gap to 2-1.
 
Zavala notched his second penalty kick save of the half in the 42^nd minute, and his six first-half saves kept Montreat within a single goal heading into the intermission. Despite only leading by one on the scoreboard, Milligan owned noticeable advantages in shots (17-5) and shots on goal (8-4) at halftime. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks through 45 minutes.
 
The visitors began the second half like they started the first, playing with possession and aggression. As a result, Milligan extended its lead to 3-1 merely 7:40 into the second frame. The Buffaloes tacked on a fourth goal in the 69^th minute, pushing the Cavs to the brink.
 
Alex Klymenko inspired thoughts of a comeback just 68 seconds after the Buffaloes' fourth tally following a Milligan turnover. Stanojevic poked a pass to Klymenko at the top of the 18-yard box, and the Volnovakha, Ukraine native unleashed a strike into the net, pulling the visitors within 4-2 via his seventh goal of the season.
 
As Montreat pushed numbers forward, the Buffs found opportunities to attack and close out the match. Milligan slotted home a trio of goals during the final 17 minutes to finish off the hosts, 7-2, and remain undefeated in conference play.
 
"Tonight's performance was very disappointing," said head coach Michael Bruce. "We have played much better this season. I know we did not show our best selves tonight. We will now look to lift our heads and go into Wednesday's match with a positive mentality."
 
When the contest ended, the Buffaloes held significant edges in shots (34-7) and shots on goal (18-5), as well as a slight advantage in corner kicks (4-3). Zavala totaled a career-high 11 saves in his first varsity start in a Montreat uniform.
 
The Montreat men's soccer team faces another stiff test on Wednesday when it goes up against the Columbia International University Rams. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.