After losing to Covenant College in the conference tournament, the Lady Buffs stepped up their play in the regional tournament, winning two matches to advance to the championship game against No. 1 ranked Union College. They ended their season with a 5-2 loss against Union.
In the first round of the regional tournament, the women’s soccer team defeated Brescia College 9-0.
“We all wanted to win really badly after the loss to Covenant,” said freshman Katie Lindemann. “We played at our level and dominated the whole game.”
Bianca Spoto scored three goals and Salem Wood, Rebekah Hulien, Lindemann, Kim Morris, Deniece Kitchin and Cora Deakins each added one goal for the Lady Buffs.
Deakins and Hulien posted their first goals of the season.
“Despite playing on soaked fields, we played really well,” said freshman Allison Murray. “We finished our shots, our defense was really strong and we just had fun.”
Goalie Emma Wirkus had four saves, all of which were in the second half.
“It was really good to come back and win after the upset by Covenant,” said freshman Tanya
Ruppert.
In the second round of the regional tournament, the Lady Buffs defeated Bethel College 8-0.
Wood scored Milligan’s only goal in minute 67 of the game.
“We played really well against Bethel and out-hustled them despite the bad playing conditions,” said Kitchin. “Salem stepped up and played hard, and our defense did a great job shutting down Bethel’s number one player.”
Wirkus had two saves.
In the championship game, held Saturday against Union College, the Lady Buffs ended their season in a 5-2 loss.
“We came out flat and stayed flat the whole game,” said Wirkus. “I don’t think that we came out ready to play. This was a disappointing note to end the season on.”
Union led the Buffs 2-0 going into the second half.
Freshman Breanna Shelton gave Milligan their first goal with a header off of a corner kick and Morris scored Milligan’s second goal from a penalty kick.
“We were unlucky,” said Kitchin. “They had a few early goals that took away our momentum.”
Despite a tough loss to Union and ending the season without going to nationals, the team posted seven of its players in the All Conference post season poll, giving Milligan the most players selected from one school.
Wirkus, Morris, Wood and Spoto made First Team All Conference. Kitchin, Courtney Siber and Lindemann made Second Team All Conference.
The All Conference Team is composed of 40 players, 20 on the First Team and 20 on the Second Team.