Lady Buffs eliminated in regional semifinals

from staff reports

   MCKENZIE -- A good soccer season for the Milligan Lady Buffs came to an end on Friday, as they lost a NAIA Region XII semifinal contest to top-seeded Bethel College by a 4-2 score.
   Bethel was making its sixth Region XII semifinal appearance, and advanced to the finals for the first time.
   Bethel jumped out quickly, scoring two goals in the first nine minutes of the game.
   At the 6:39 mark, Ashley McDaniel netted the game's first goal off a rebound of her own first shot.
   Two minutes later, Alicia James nailed a goal from the 18-yard mark to give BC a 2-0 lead, which it held until the half.
   Milligan got on the board in the first two minutes of the second half when Bianca Spoto connected on a penalty kick, which resulted from a handball in the box. Bethel answered 10 minutes later as Amanda Montesano took a nice pass from Alicia James and netted BC's third goal.
   The Lady Buffs then struck back with goal in the 65th minute to get within one at 3-2.
   The Bethel defense, led by Patience Opara, took over and held Milligan scoreless in the final 25:00 of the game. Montesano iced the win for BC with a goal with just one minute to go.
   Bethel outshot Milligan 22-7 on the afternoon. Bethel goalkeeper Cheryl Noonan came up with three big saves, while Milligan keeper Andrea Breece had eight saves on the afternoon.
   Milligan knocked Bethel out of the regional three of the five previous seasons, including last year.