Milligan teams open with flourish

from staff reports

   DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- Milligan's women soccer team opened the 2002 season the way it ended the 2001 season -- with another shutout.
   The Lady Buffs defeated North Georgia 4-0 over the weekend.
   Senior Abby Armstrong picked up her first shutout of the year by stopping all three shots that North Georgia could manage against the powerful defense of the Lady Buffs.
   Senior Salem Wood led the offense for Milligan, scoring a goal and assisting on two others.
   Alicia Rosendahl also provided a spark for the Lady Buffs scoring a goal and helping on another. Her goal came in the 60th minute.
   Bianca Spoto and Deniece Kitchin also scored a goal for the Lady Buffs in their season debut.
   The Lady Buffs out shot North Georgia 15-3 in the coaching debut of Marty Shirley. Shirley took over the team just three weeks ago for the departure of John Garvilla.
   "I am really impressed how we played today," Shirley said. "I did not know what to expect but I liked what I saw on both sides of the ball."
   Tuesday the Lady Buffs return to the field in their first conference match at Bluefield College at 4 p.m.
   Men
   The Milligan Buffs went into halftime tied, but came out swinging and scored two early goals in the second to record a 2-0 shutout of North Georgia in their season debut.
   Alex Kimani broke loose in the 51st minute to open the scoring for the Buffs. He scored on an unassisted goal, putting the Buffs up 1-0.
   Two minutes later, Jason Hotchkin took a pass from Ali Mohamed to break open the game.
   The Buffs continued pressuring North Georgia throughout the second half but could not capitalize on many scoring chances.
   "I thought for the first game we played very solid," said Milligan coach Marty Shirley. "I am a little disappointed about missing some scoring chances late but I will take the shutout."
   Freshmen Trevor Techeira picked up his first win and shutout for the Buffs in goal. He made three saves for the shutout.
   The Buffs return to action Tuesday at Bluefield College at 7 p.m. for their first conference match.