Lady Buffs score regional upset

from staff reports

   The Milligan Lady Buffs could have cracked under the pressure on Tuesday but refused to be denied, upsetting Tennessee Wesleyan 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the regional soccer tournament.
   In the 11th minute of the first half, Katie Caughell scored the only goal of the game off an assist from Kristin Zutt.
   "Playoffs are about surviving, and we were able to survive today," Milligan coach David Dixon commented after the win. "We just came off an unbelievable weekend, only having one day to train before today's match. We were spent, but we gutted it out. We're playing for our season now; it's either go on or go home."
   The match was very physical and competitive, as both teams struggled to stay with the pace of the game. Milligan had 10 shots to Tennessee Wesleyan's 13; each team also had six on goals. Goalkeeper Andrea Breece completed six saves for the Lady Buffs.
   Milligan will next compete in the semifinals of regionals on Friday at 11 a.m. against Bethel College. The match will take place in McKenzie, TN on the Lady Wildcats' home field.
   Milligan is the only nationally unranked team in the regional tournament, facing 7th-ranked Bethel.
   "I'm excited about what the weekend has in store for us," Dixon said. "This was the game I was most nervous about. Bethel will be a battle, but we will have more time to rest and prepare to fight in that battle.
   "I'm proud of the team. We have had the opportunity to play every team we've lost to during the season a second time, and have come out with wins. The girls have really developed their character over the last few months, and it's coming out now when it counts."