MILLIGAN, Tenn. — The Montreat College men's soccer team fell 2-0 to Milligan University on Wednesday evening in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. The Cavaliers recorded 15 shots, including two on target, but could not find the back of the net. With the result, Montreat moved to 2-6-3 overall (0-6-1 AAC), while the Buffaloes improved to 9-2-2 (5-2-1 AAC).
Early in the first half, Adrian Torres and the visitors' back line faced several Milligan chances, including two shots and a pair of corner kicks. The Buffs broke through with the opening goal in the 17th minute. The Cavs created opportunities late in the period, as Emmanuel Ntimeh headed a shot wide in the 30th minute, and Erikas Kvedaravicius and Alejandro Hernandez had attempts blocked around a corner kick in the 38th minute. On the other side, the home team extended its lead with a penalty kick at 32:26 to carry a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
Montreat looked to cut into the deficit following the break, with Reuben Keeys sending a shot wide in the 48th minute prior to Ntimeh forcing a save after 57 minutes of play. Jose Solano then took a corner kick, while Oliver Carias Penaloza and Hernandez added tries during the opening stretch.
The Cavaliers maintained their attacking pressure between the 66th and 76th minutes, as Solano, Emilio Ruiz, Ntimeh, Uros Markovic and Ricardas Milasius each recorded a shot. Hernandez later delivered another corner kick before Solano sent an attempt wide. The Cavs continued to search for a breakthrough late in the match, with Hernandez taking a corner and Viktor Mladenov sending a shot wide right in the 90th minute; however, the Buffs held firm defensively to preserve the shutout and secure the victory.
"We put in a great performance tonight," said Head Coach Michael Bruce. "Some of the soccer we played was unbelievable. We were unfortunate to be on the wrong side of a few bad decisions that changed the flow of the game. Even up against the adversity, the guys kept playing. Milligan is a notoriously difficult place to play, and not many teams will come here and play as well as us."
Montreat finished with a 15-12 advantage in shots, while Milligan led 4-2 in shots on goal and 5-4 in corner kicks. The Cavaliers committed 16 fouls compared to eight for the Buffaloes. Both goalkeepers finished with two saves.
Ntimeh and Solano paced the visitors with three shots apiece, which included Ntimeh placing one on target. Ruiz also registered a shot on goal. Torres played all 90 minutes in net and made two saves.
The Cavs return to the pitch on Saturday, Oct. 17, for an AAC road matchup against Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, Tenn. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
