Mandi Mooney
Online Managing Editor
October 13, 2004
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Freshman Kyle Wilcox prepares to attack the ball. |
-Photo by Andrew Stauffe |
While most Milligan students studied in the library for upcoming tests or hung out with friends in their rooms, a handful of fans sat through the rain and cold temperature to watch the Milligan College men’s soccer team defeat Southern Wesleyan University (S.C.) last night 4-0. The win gave the Buffs their fourth consecutive shut out.
“It was an important win, it was another shut out for us” said head coach Marty Shirley. “I think we played well tonight.”
Despite intermittent rain and thunder casting a backdrop throughout the evening, the Buffs came out strong against the Warriors when freshman Stuart Mackinson scored the first goal during the fifth minute off an assist from senior Steven Townley.
For the remainder of the first half, Milligan battled against the Warriors. Despite frequent attempts by both teams, no additional goals were made until the 40th minute when Townley kicked the ball in after an assist by sophomore David Lilly. At the end of the first half, the Buffs were hopeful with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the rain diminished and the temperature further dropped as Milligan attempted to maintain their lead. The general play of the game appeared to be slow as the men struggled to play on the wet, muddy field where stopping was difficult.
Sophomore Travis Young scored the first goal of the second half in the sixty-seventh minute to bring to score to 3-0. With Milligan’s growing lead, Southern Wesleyan slowed their defense and appeared to give up in defeat. Even head coach Jonathan Lenarz noticed his team’s defeated attitude, yelling at his team to get back into the game. Then, Mackinson scored his second goal of the game in the 67th minute off an assist from senior Ali Mohamed which brought the score to 4-0.
Milligan, however, suffered misfortune with only five minutes left to play when freshman Bradley “Bucky” Buchanan collided with a member of the opposing team, hitting his head and landing hard on his neck and head.
According to freshman Jordan Browning, Buchanan and his opponent “went up for the same ball,” resulting in the injury.
Buchanan was knocked unconscious for several minutes and taken by ambulance to the Johnson City Medical Center where he was to be held overnight. Further details of his condition were not available at press time.
Play resumed after the 20 minute injury delay, and the game ended with a final score of 4-0. The Buffs out-shot the Warriors 22 to ten shots at goal.
“Our defense played really well,” said Shirley. “Defense wins championships and that’s what we are working for.”
The win brings the Buffs record to 7-5-1 for the season and 2-1-1 in the conference. Milligan’s next game with be at home against conference foe Bryan College on Saturday.