-Photo contributed by Jason Spencer
Troy Childress
Reporter
September 16, 2005
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Coach Dixon taking a few moments out of the game to help guide
the team to victory. -Photo contributed by Jason Spencer |
The Milligan College men’s soccer team was in action against the Covenant College Scots last Saturday during their first conference game of the season. The Buffs improved their record to 3-3 for the season and 1-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference with a 2-0 victory.
“We’ve played for bits and pieces,” said junior center midfielder and team
captain David Lilly, “but this was the first time we’ve played as a team for the
whole game.”
Junior Caleb Bollman scored first in the 55th minute from sophomore Michael
Negussie’s assist. Lilly scored the second goal in the 73rd minute off an assist
from sophomore Kofi Frimpong. Milligan out shot their rival 11 to seven in its
third shutout of the season. Junior goalkeeper Jordan Fode aided in the shutout
by recording two saves.
Juniors Lilly and Joel Wanyoike said the key factor to the victory was that the
Buffs played together as a team. Wanyoike said they played “simple and according
to instructions.”
Covenant, who was undefeated in the conference last year, has had Milligan’s
number for the past two years. Milligan was winless against the Scots last year
in both meetings. The first loss was on the Buff’s home field, and the second
was a disappointing loss in the conference championship game.
According to Lilly, this game was a “revenge match.”
Milligan's soccer teams had a change in coaching structure this year when Dave
Dixon, who coached the women’s team last year, took the responsibility of both
teams. Todd Miner and Kim Morris, a Milligan graduate and former player, are the
two assistant coaches.
Lilly said that despite the change in structure, it does not feel like there is
much change to the team. He added that it feels like both teams have separate
coaches because the coaches manage their time with the teams.
Wanyoike is happy with the change. He said, “They’ve all played competitive
soccer before so they understand.”
According to Lilly, Dixon believes in hard work and “coaches how the team should
play.”
“(We) are taught to work hard as a team and there are no special players,” said
Lilly.
The Buffs take on conference foe Brevard College at home this Saturday.