Late Goals Push Milligan Past SMC in AAC Opener

Milligan, Tenn. – For 80 minutes, the Spartanburg Methodist College men's soccer team and Milligan battled to a scoreless draw in the Appalachian Athletic Conference opener for both squads.

The host Buffs (2-1-1, 1-0 AAC), who are receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, finally broke through in the 81st minute when Kerim Akpinar netted his third goal of the season on an unassisted strike.

SMC (0-3, 0-1 AAC) nearly found the equalizer just three minutes later as Nils Monchgesang's attempt was blocked, setting up the Pioneers' fourth corner of the match. Milligan's defense held firm, and the Buffs doubled their lead in the 86th minute on a goal by Myles Diel. A late push by SMC in the 89th minute was denied when Milligan keeper Adria Alles turned away a shot from Tomas Vega to preserve the clean sheet.

Despite the loss, SMC goalkeeper Francesco Molinar turned in a strong performance with 10 saves on 30 Milligan shots, including three in the opening 10 minutes. Defender Sascha Schneider also came up big with a goal-line stop in the 39th minute.

Milligan outshot SMC 30-9, with Vega leading the Pioneers' attack with three attempts.

The Pioneers return home for their AAC home opener against Columbia International University on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. at Nash Soccer Field.