Milligan Collects First Men's Soccer Tournament Title Since 2006

MILLIGAN, Tenn. - A goal in the 18th minute was all that was needed, but top-seeded Milligan tacked on three in the second half to win the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Soccer Tournament championship, defeating No. 3 seed Tennessee Wesleyan 4-0 on Saturday.

This marks the first time Milligan has won the men's soccer tournament title since 2006.

Santiago Corral found the back of the net in the 18th minute to give the Buffaloes a 1-0 lead. It remained a one-goal game until the 68th minute when Corral struck again.

During the final 18 minutes, Jett Carter and Alexsander Krogh each got into the action to make the final 4-0.

Both Milligan and Tennessee Wesleyan receive automatic berths to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The bracket will be announced on Monday.

For his efforts, Corral was named the Tournament MVP. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team are Carter, Inaki Moreno, and Simen Haraldstad of Milligan; Kuda Nhiwatiwa, Dave Neijenhuis, and Sifiso Ngwenya of Tennessee Wesleyan; Tyler Wheatcroft and Asuka Kaneda of Union; and Tobias Crosariol and Cristobel Romero of St. Andrews.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 3 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 1 - No. 1 Milligan (14-2-3) def. No. 8 Reinhardt (9-5-5), 1-0 (2OT) (box)
Game 2 - No. 4 St. Andrews (10-4-2) def. No. 5 Truett McConnell (9-3-4), 4-0 (box)
Game 3 - No. 2 Union (15-1-2) def. No. 7 Bryan (8-8-2),  2-1 (box)
Game 4 - No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan (10-3-5) def. No. 6 Columbia International (10-5-3), 1-0 (box)

Tuesday, Nov. 7 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 5 - No. 1 Milligan (15-2-3) def. No. 4 St. Andrews (10-5-2), 1-0 (box)
Game 6 - No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan (11-3-5) at No. 2 Union (15-2-2), 5-1 (box)

Saturday, Nov. 11 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 7 - Championship Game - No. 1 Milligan (16-2-3) def. No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan (11-4-5),  4-0 (box)