Milligan's Magical Run Ends in NAIA Championship Game

(Release provided by Jeff Melton of the NAIA)

WICHITA, Kan. - Milligan struck first, but it was MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) who celebrated last as Buffaloes fell 2-1 in the 2023 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship game on Monday.

The 65th Annual event was held at Scheels Stryker Sports Complex by Visit Wichita.

MidAmerica Nazarene was playing in the championship game for the second time in program history after losing 1-0 in overtime to Rio Grande (Ohio) in the 2015 final while Milligan was the lower seed in each matchup of the championship run, pulling four upsets to reach the championship game. The Buffaloes were the first Appalachian Athletic Conference team to reach the semifinals and bested that by reaching the finals.

The Buffaloes were the first team to light up the scoreboard as they were on the beneficial end of an own goal. In the 25^th minute, the MNU defense was trying to push the ball back towards goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho (W, 6-2-1) but the ball instead went into the back of the net.

Shortly before halftime, the Pioneers got the equalizer they had been searching for. Rick Hovinga received the pass from Presto McKay inside the six-yard box and scored his 15^th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1.

At the intermission, MNU had taken five shots and two corner kicks compared to three attempts and no corner kicks from the Buffs; each keeper had allowed one goal and recorded one save during the first 45 minutes of play.

With 26 minutes to go in the second half, Guilherme Galvao received the ball from the near-the-end line on the left side of the goal – off the feed from McKay – and shot the ball at the goal. The initial shot was blocked by Milligan keeper Adria Alles (L, 13-2-4), but Galvao was able to clean up his own miss and put the Pioneers on top.

The Pioneers outshot the opposition 13-5 in shots and 7-3 in corner kicks. In the loss, Boikaego Mbaakanyi and Santiago Corral both had two shot attempts. Galvao posted a game-high five shot attempts, Jony Munoz had three, and Hovinga and McKay had two each. MNU's Carvalho was awarded the goalkeeper win while Alles ended on the wrong side of the result for only the second time this season.

2023 NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team

Outstanding Defensive Player Award: Greg Anderson, Milligan (Tenn.)

Outstanding Offensive Player Award:  Rick Hovinga, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)

Most Valuable Player: Nicolas Theberge, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)

Team Sportsmanship Award: Columbia (Mo.)